Around the world, 131 million girls are missing out on school, and girls are 50% more likely to lose the opportunity for education than boys.
This disparity continues into adulthood, where only 55% of women can access paid work compared to 78% of men.
Economic inequality has a global cost. The World Bank estimates that inequality for women and girls in the workplace could cost the global economy $160 trillion—twice the world’s total annual GDP.
Limited access to financial services adds to the challenge. Right now:
- 1.7 billion adults lack access to a bank account. 1 billion of those adults are women.
- Laws in 72 countries restrict women from opening bank accounts or accessing credit.
- Violence against women, both in and outside the workplace, costs the global economy $1.5 trillion.
CARE is working to change this by increasing access to education, financial tools, and dignified work opportunities for women and girls.