Out-of-date browser detected
Your browser appears to be out-of-date, and portions of the site may not function as intended.
Please install a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari for a better experience.
Read next

Empowering Africa’s women farmers
When Africa’s women farmers thrive, everyone benefits: the women themselves, the children in whom they invest, the communities that they feed, and the economies to which they contribute. With the right investments and policies, Africa’s woman-run farms could produce a bumper crop of development.

They can’t Google, so they ask me about their rights
For many women in Niger, basic knowledge about how to keep themselves and their families healthy is out of reach. Malama Ouani, a Muslim cleric in Maradi, Niger, discusses the impact of gender inequality and the importance of strengthening women's rights, girls' education, and family planning resources.
Sign up for The Optimist newsletter
Subscribe to The Optimist to get updates on the latest in global health, gender equality, education, and more. Subscribing and completing your profile is the best way to stay up to date with the Gates Foundation, our partners, events, and other ways to stay connected.