Fast Forward summary

Women may have massive global potential, but, in most countries, they’re still barred from opportunity and considered inferior. This mistreatment and subjugation comes in many forms.

Sexual violence, for instance, is still one of the foremost dangers faced by women. Assault, rape, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, child marriage and sex slavery are more widespread than most would think – even in Western countries.

Most people subconsciously picture a man when they hear the term “CEO.” That’s not only because of how we’re socialized; it reflects reality, too. Most CEOs are men. There are more than a few reasons this needs to change.

Companies actually become stronger and more profitable when they place women in executive positions, a fact that few companies take advantage of.

We certainly need more women in leadership positions; however, that doesn’t mean neglecting those at the base of society. Women at lower levels of the workforce – or those not in the workforce at all – are just as important to global development.

There are millions of impoverished female farmers in rural areas and millions of women toiling away in garment factories for virtually no pay. Their lives and well-being are constantly under threat; many can’t even read. In fact, women account for around 70 percent of the global population that lives in poverty.

Female empowerment isn’t only good for women. As more and more women gain power in society, something important and marvelous happens: the multiplier effect.

The multiplier effect says that when you empower one woman, you empower many. Since, until recently, so many women have had so few chances, the empowerment of one woman triggers a chain reaction. Female leaders are more likely to help other women gain access to education and financial security; this, in turn, will create more female leaders, who will then empower more women.

One might think that it’s only women in poor countries who truly struggle. However, women in developed countries also face serious obstacles in the business world.

Many female entrepreneurs have difficulty securing sufficient credit, for example, which is a vital part of founding a business. Many assume that banks treat men and women equally in Western countries; that, however, is a patently misguided assumption.

Having a sense of purpose in life is just as important as finding happiness. Everyone wants to do something meaningful that will make the world a slightly better place.

Naturally, this applies equally to women and men! Women also need space to figure out what they want to do with their lives, whether that means becoming a successful leader, a politician or a stay-at-home mom. People who live without a sense of purpose never truly feel fulfilled; they might while away their life doing something they don’t truly care about.

A young girl from a remote village in Kenya will have few opportunities to learn about the global fight for gender equality. She’s more likely to be married off at a young age, undergo female circumcision and then have children before she’s mature enough to care for them.

Such are the obstacles to global gender equality. However, we have to start somewhere, and education is key. Education enables girls to understand their own rights and power, and equips them to empower those around them.