For many, barriers to economic participation are rooted in childhood. Approximately 1 in 3 girls and young women from the poorest households around the world have never been to school.2 Societal norms in emerging and developing markets can pressure women to marry or have children before they’re 18 – which can limit their ability to learn, earn and grow.
The obstacles to economic inclusion faced by girls and young women vary widely across the markets we operate in, shaped by differences in local cultures. Yet in most cases, they face the same common issues:
To combat these and other persistent barriers, intervention is needed at an early age. By educating and encouraging girls and young women before they reach 18, we can empower them to pursue diverse opportunities, mitigate gender-based violence, and ultimately, achieve sustained economic inclusion.
2UNICEF, Addressing the learning crisis: An urgent need to better finance education for the poorest children, Page 3