Investing in All the People: Educating Women in Developing Countries

Here are sound reasons why targeting funds to educate girls and women can yield the best investment returns in the developing world and provide enormous economic benefits. The discussion explains how such funding can reduce environmental pollution, fertility rates, and female mortality and help prevent the spread of AIDS. It describes an entrenched cultural tradition that denies girls an education and keeps them from contributing economically to their families and their countries. A low-cost strategy to educate more women and girls worldwide is presented, along with examples of successful education programs in many developing nations.