Educating Girls Improves the Economy

The World Economic Forum recently published the Global Gender Gap Report 2013. This is the most recent in a series of annual reports since 2006 that quantify the relative gaps between men and women in 133 countries in 4 key areas:

• Economic participation and opportunity
• Educational attainment
• Health and survival
• Political empowerment

The report is detailed, presenting raw data and analysis – showing, for example, that Tanzania is ranked 66th for overall gender equality (the US is ranked 23rd)!

The most significant message from this report, however, is that there is a correlation between gender equality and the level of competitiveness, GDP per capita and human development.

The report concludes “A nation’s competitiveness depends, among other things, on whether and how it educates its female talent”.

This is yet more proof that, by supporting the education of vulnerable girls at the Sega Girls School, you are contributing to the economic development of Tanzania, currently one of the poorest countries in the world.

The photo below is of Sega student Lucy. Lucy joined the Sega Girls School in 2008, and graduated a few weeks ago. Her high school diploma will give her opportunities that she could only dream of six years ago.