Empowering women key for G7

Michelle Obama, Katherine Johnson, Elinor Ostrom, and Julia Gillard. All of these women are individuals who, by gaining an education, were or have been, able to — in one way or the other — make a difference in the world.

Females in quite a number of countries often do not receive the same quality of education as the males. However, what is key to note is that should the quality of education provided to females in such countries augment, there could be higher levels of economic growth as well as development within those countries.

But why should the G7 care?

Essentially, should the G7 aid such nations in their endeavours to invest in education that empowers females or that levels the gender playing field, they would not only be accomplishing something worthwhile, but in turn, as countries experience economic growth the G7 stands to benefit more from trading with those countries.

With this week’s G7 summit’s theme being “advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment,” my expectation is that the G7 does not only work toward promoting women empowerment within its participating countries, but also aims to do so in other countries, as there is something to be gained either in the short run or long run from addressing this issue.

Adeoluwa Adebanji, Regina