Why investing in women and girls matters now more than ever
Before COVID-19 struck in Mali, 9-year old Ami was in second grade in school in Bamako. With the pandemic, schools closed, and Ami and her 7-year-old sister, Awa, stayed home doing household chores. Schools have since reopened, but teachers are on strike. There is a real risk that neither girls will go back to school, but may, instead remain at home till they get married, just like their older sister did. For many countries including Mali, completing school for girls is not a priority.
Evidence shows that investing in women's and girls' education, health and economic opportunities is essential to accelerate Sub-Saharan Africa's demographic transition, a central tenet of moving the human capital agenda forward and spurring sustainable economic growth.