Poverty and Gender Inequality

A-listers and prominent voices from all over the world, including Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep and Beyonce
are all behind the One.org initiative, which encourages female liberation in developing countries.One.org
approached these women and asked them to assist in writing a letter to World leaders who had the power
to make a difference.The chosen leaders were German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African
Minister of Health Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. These two successful women are set to host key summits
which will set new Sustainable Development Goals.
The message from the letter stressed that poverty is deeply entrenched in gender inequality, and the world
wont end it unless it face up to the fact that girls and women get a raw deal, and until leaders and citizens
around the world work together for real change. The letter also highlighted that when the world deliver
for girls and women,it delivers for everyone.According to the letter,by 2030,every girl and woman would
have been lifted out of poverty.
One.org voices echoed that not addressing this would result in extreme poverty, inequality and
instability.The timing of this lobbying is such that if the summits reach the right agreements, great
financing and momentum around girls and womens empowerment can be placed at the heart of the new
global goals. That in turn will frame how global policies are decided, and trillions of dollars spent, over
the next 15 years.
This would affect the girl who cant go to a decent primary or secondary school or access health-care, or
who is forced to marry while still a child; for the mothers threatened with death when they give life and
who arent allowed to decide when to have their next child; the women who cant own or inherit the land
she farms, nor open a bank account, own a phone, access electricity or the legal system; the infant girl
who doesnt legally exist because her birth wasnt registered and the government hasnt the capacity to
collect data on her or her village; the women and girls who cant take those who are violent towards them
to court nor access justice.
Now we The Southern African Finance Convention

Join us on African Perspectives live here at The Southern African Finance Convention as
we discuss whether Poverty is related to Gender Inequality.
Questions
1.Is gender inequality a major factor in poverty perpetuation?

2.Do you think realizing womens rights helps in eradicating poverty especially in developing countries?
3.If great financing and momentum around girls and womens empowerment are placed at the heart of the
new global goals, will that thwart poverty ?
4.. How can female liberation be encouraged in developing countries in a bid to counter poverty?