World Bank: Engaging in women and girls will boost their lives and reshape the global financial system
Girls who gain knowledge and are motivated see the value in themselves, drive profitable economies, and improve society and all of humankind. According to the World Bank, empowering women and girls is
essential to transforming economies and enhancing the quality of life for everyone.
In honor of the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) in 2024, the bank made this announcement in its regional publication on “Girl Power for Africa: Accelerating Equality in Western and Central
Africa” on Friday.
The United Nations has declared “Invest in Women: Boost Progress” as the subject for this year’s celebration, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The financial institution claims that to win the economic growth race, putting money into advancing the rights of women and girls is essential to changing economies and raising people’s quality of life.
“Ensuring that the other half of the population is not left behind and has access to the same opportunities.”
Although Sub-Saharan Africa has been making progress in closing the legal gender gap, the bank said that the latest Women Business and the Law study brought to light the wide disparity between the written laws
and the actual laws in the region.
According to the statement, these reforms are dismantling obstacles and enabling women and girls to reach their greatest potential.
Significant successes are being made in Western and Central Africa in advancing female education, supporting legislative reforms, enhancing livelihood chances, and creating more accessible financial institutions.
However, advancements in certain domains have not entirely resulted in uplifting women and girls in all domains.
Two out of every ten girls in Western and Central Africa give birth to a child when still in their teens, and nearly half of them think it is acceptable for a husband to beat his wife.
irrespective of her occupation—farmer, wage worker, or entrepreneur—a woman in the area makes much less than the average male.”
According to the bank, pre-existing disparities were being made worse by the interwoven challenges of food security, violence, and the COVID-19 epidemic.
According to reports, Ousmane Diagana, the vice president of the World Bank for Western and Central Africa, was cited as saying, “We have the chance to deliver results at scale for a fair future today.”
“Women and girls who gain knowledge and are empowered will recognize their intrinsic value, drive sustainable economies, and benefit society and all of humanity.”
The bank argued that it was morally right to invest in women and girls. According to NAN, International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed on March 8 every year to honor women’s accomplishments, spread
recognition of unfair treatment, and encourage action toward achieving gender parity.
