When women have the power to make decisions about their lives—and access to the tools and resources they need—economies grow, families are healthier, and communities are more resilient. Closing gender gaps in health, entrepreneurship, and economic participation could add trillions to the global economy—yet nearly every woman in the world faces barriers that limit her potential.
I’ve seen how investment in women changes outcomes—in the data as well as in my own professional life.
Early in my career, I looked up to one of the senior leaders at the company. Her magnetic leadership inspired me—I knew I wanted her in my corner. In our early conversations, she taught me the difference between a mentor and a sponsor. A mentor offers guidance, and a sponsor advocates for you when you’re not in the room.
She became my sponsor at key moments in my career, advocating for my work, positioning me for opportunities, and ensuring that my contributions were seen. I worked hard and earned my accomplishments, but she helped open doors for me that might otherwise have remained closed. To this day, I think of her as part of my personal board of directors, a practice I have brought into my personal career management philosophy.
As we mark International Women’s Day and reflect on this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” I’m reminded that what this leader did wasn’t just generous to me personally—it was an investment. When we invest in women—by expanding their access to education, health care, capital, or mentorship—those gains ripple outward.
The economic development barriers women still face
Despite how much progress is possible, too many barriers still prevent women from achieving their true potential. Women spend, on average, 2.4 more hours per day on unpaid care work than men. And an astonishing 96% of the world’s women live in countries where they do not have full legal equality with men. Globally, women earn just 61 cents for every dollar men earn. Once child care access and personal safety are factored in, there isn’t a single country in the world where women have genuine full equality.
These barriers don’t just hold women back—they result in families, communities, and countries missing out on the ripple effects of women’s full participation in society.
Smart investments in women that unlock change
Smart investments are an important part of giving to gain. The foundation’s long-term investments target structural barriers to women’s equality and economic development, helping to change systems so women can thrive. For example, women make up the majority of smallholder farmers in Africa, and training them to use climate-smart agriculture techniques means they are better able to feed their families and communities, invest in their children’s health and education, and spread their knowledge by training others in the same techniques.
Agriculture is only one piece of the puzzle. Too many women are excluded from the formal economy. Expanding financial inclusion through digital financial services gives women access to capital, secure ways to transact and save, and the tools to start and expand businesses.
Health care is another area that needs investment. Many women can’t access essential health services or obtain the contraceptives they want to use. Strengthening primary health care systems and expanding access to contraception enables women to make informed choices about their families and their futures.
Together, these investments in women can be transformative. Not only can they help women realize their aspirations, but their effects can ripple out through their communities and their countries. When women can participate fully in the economy, they have money to spend in their neighborhoods, they can send their children to school, and they can share valuable new ideas and insights that the world can benefit from. And the data shows that these investments pay off.
Effects that extend far beyond individual women
By supporting more economic opportunity for women, policymakers could boost global GDP by more than 7% by 2030. Just by closing the gender health gap, the global economy could grow by US$1 trillion—every single year—because investing in women’s health enables them to attend school and work and provide for their families. And closing the entrepreneurship gap by enabling women to start and expand businesses at the same rate as men could boost the global economy by an estimated US$5 trillion to US$6 trillion. Tapping into women’s talents and energy unleashes economic growth that benefits everyone. We can’t afford to miss out on these gains.
Investing in women builds a better world
I’m inspired by the progress that’s already been made. Between 1970 and 2022, countries around the world adopted more than 2,000 laws that have brought women closer to legal parity with men in their economies. In those decades, countless women have started businesses, made brilliant scientific discoveries, and brought home income that has improved their lives and those of their families.
But progress doesn’t happen by chance. Laws must be implemented and enforced—not just recorded on paper. Opportunities must be intentionally expanded. We know that equal access to loans, health care, education, and well-paying jobs won’t just happen by accident—decision-makers must make it an explicit priority.
There is no version of global progress that does not include women having a seat at the table. When we invest in women, we unlock talent, innovation, and leadership potential that the world cannot afford to leave behind.
About Economic Opportunity
Everyone deserves the chance to live a healthy, productive life—and have access to the tools and resources to shape their own future. But for many people—especially women and girls—access to basic needs like nutritious food, quality education, and jobs is still out of reach. That’s why we’re focusing on areas with the greatest potential to improve lives, like agriculture and education.
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