Stop Discrimination Against Girls And Women

Women and girls are still discriminated against and treated as second-class citizens and individuals in many countries across the world. They often have no free choice in crucial decisions for themselves.

In all too many cases they are ‘owned’ by their father, brother or husband, with no property or inheritance rights, and no opportunity for secondary schooling, or loans for investment in a productive activity for income and employment.Child marriage is still rampant, far into the 21st century. Every year an estimated 14 million girls are married before they are 18.

Given the enormous consequences of the large gaps still there between the opportunities of men and women, boys and girls, I believe it is now extremely important that we overcome the traditions that are keeping societies back.

Empowerment of women is not just self-evident as a result of principles of human rights and equity, it increases the productivity of societies and countries. It pays to invest in girls and women.

Now is the time to agree to unleash the largest untapped potential for sustainable economic development and stop all discrimination against women and girls.