What are the consequences of that? A society that tries to run on half
its brain power on half its human capabilities, block the role of women.
In problem solving, in economic leadership, in a political role.
A country that's running on only half its human resources is bound to fall behind
countries that are empowering all of their citizens, women and girls as well as
men and boys.
Countries where young girls may have one of two years of schooling, but then
because lack of interest, lack of budget, lack of family attention
and effort, are forced to drop out of school, marry young, start having children
young, do not have the productivity to participate in a modern economy.
Face a tremendous amount of poverty and suffering themselves.
And by dint of that are likely to be raising children in poverty as well.
Now, this is an area where there have
been huge changes, fortunately, in the right direction.
Over the last 30 years but by no means uniformed.
Look at this wonderful picture of the rowandan
parliament, it may surprise you to know that
rowanda's parliament is not only more than half women,
but has the highest porportion of women in it's
parliament in comparison with the rest of the world.
And women's participation in politics has soared in Rwanda and it
is rising in other parts of the world, though still with
the huge inequalities and still a tendency towards men dominating.
Political power.
In Rwanda you can see the wonderful
benefits of this turn towards women's empowerment.
And Rwanda has made astounding progress in reducing child mortality.
It's making big progress in improving education.
Social conditions have improved dramatically.
And while there are many factors that are contributing to Rwanda