Bill Gates and Melinda Gates published their annual Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation letter today (gatesnotes/2015-annual-letter) outlining their big bet for the future — the lives of people in poor countries will improve faster in the next 15 years than at any other time in history. I share their optimism and believe that women need to be at the center of the development agenda. Women are critical but often overlooked drivers of progress in every society. Women do the majority of the world’s work, make a fraction of the world’s income, and own even less of the world’s property. Women have less access than men to new technologies, creating a digital divide that limits their opportunities. As Bill and Melinda explain, empowering women has a powerful ripple effect on families and communities. When women have access to education and healthcare, when they can participate - and lead - in the workforce, and when their voices are heard equally in society, we can create a more peaceful and prosperous world for everyone. I’m grateful for the work of Bill, Melinda, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, and everyone at the Gates Foundation and encourage everyone to read this letter to learn more.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:10:31 +0000
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