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Blog: Economic Empowerment

  • Posted by ICRW Communications Staff on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
    Sustainable Development Powered by Women

    When world leaders gather in Brazil this week for the Rio+20 summit on sustainable development, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will highlight the global initiative to achieve "Sustainable Energy for All." The needs are great: One in five people on the planet still lacks access to modern electricity. This energy poverty disproportinately affects the world's poorest, many of whom are women.

  • Posted by Anjala Kanesathasan on Friday, February 24, 2012
    Only an SMS Away
    Mobile phones can jump-start Indian women’s entrepreneurial opportunities

    A new ICRW report illustrates how putting a mobile phone or computer in the hands of a woman entrepreneur in India can ignite tremendous economic growth.

  • Posted by Payal Patel on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
    Pedaling for Water
    Rural women in Ghana benefit from a simple agricultural technology

    Women farmers in Ghana tell ICRW's Payal Patel how a simple agricultural technology is helping them save time and expand their crops. Read the second installation in our Rural Impressions blog series.

  • Posted by ICRW Communications Staff on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
    Cheers to Cherie Blair Foundation
    ICRW partner releases new report on mobile communications and women

    Congratulations to our partner, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which today launched a new report, “Women Entrepreneurs in Mobile Retail Channels: Empowering Women, Driving Growth.”  This latest endeavor is another example of the foundation’s commitment to providing insight into how the mobile communications industry can benefit women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

  • Posted by Sarah Degnan Kambou on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
    Comments (2)
    Smart Economics
    Economic development programs must address the complexities in women’s lives

    More economic development efforts must address the “intersections” in women’s lives. Such an approach can create an army of resilient, workforce-ready women to serve as the next drivers of economic prosperity and stability.

  • Posted by By ICRW Communications Team on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
    Preparing for Passports
    Panelists for ICRW’s Oct. 19 event explore possible discussion themes

    Panelists for ICRW’s “Women: An Emerging Market” event met over the phone lines this week to touch base about their discussion next Wednesday, Oct. 19, at The National Press Club. And judging from what we heard, it promises to be a provocative conversation about the openings and obstacles for women’s economic advancement. 

  • Posted by Allison McGonagle on Friday, September 16, 2011
    Comments (4)
    Powered by Women
    Ugandan women find new market in solar lanterns

    Our van climbed higher and higher as we navigated the rolling foothills of Mt. Elgon on the Uganda-Kenya border. Lush greenery surrounded us and plump cows dotted the fields. Although sparse electricity lines hung from some of the houses, there was no light as we approached Kapchorwa district. No light, except in the homes that owned a Solar Sister solar lantern.

    Headquartered in the U.S.

  • Posted by Brian Heilman on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
    Income Isn't Everything
    Bangladeshi Women Define Empowerment

    Whether you translate it as "discussion," "debate," or just plain "gossip," there is no doubt that adda is among the most beloved pastimes of Bengalis around the globe. In its most idealized form, adda is a flurry of passionate philosophy, argument and interruption among poet-revolutionaries gathered over cups of tea.

  • Posted by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon on Monday, March 7, 2011
    Celebrating Afghan Businesswomen
    Against the Odds, Afghan Women Triumph

    I first met Kamila Sidiqi in December 2005, on a cold Kabul afternoon. After speaking with her for 15 minutes, I knew I had a story I had to tell.

  • Posted by Priya Nanda on Tuesday, February 15, 2011
    Comments (1)
    100 Pairs of Hands
    Researcher Inspired by Career Program for Women Garment Workers

    A few years ago, I learned a little-known nugget about my Gap jeans that amazed me. I wore the denim to one of my initial meetings with Gap Inc., with whom ICRW has been collaborating on Gap Inc.’s “Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.)” program. The effort helps female garment workers in developing countries advance beyond entry-level positions.

  • Posted by Meredith Saggers on Tuesday, October 12, 2010
    Roadside Beads
    Maasai Women Create Their Own Market

    My favorite part of traveling is seeing the impact of ICRW’s work first hand. Sometimes, the determination of the women we serve is profoundly impressive. This was the case on my recent trip to Kenya.

  • Posted by Charles Ashbaugh on Friday, September 17, 2010
    Ringing Potential
    What Cell Phones Can Do for Women

    Out in a rural village in Western Kenya, two hours from the nearest large town, and all I could think about were cell phones.

  • Posted by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon on Monday, August 16, 2010
    A Smart Investment
    The Promise of Afghan Women

    I spent several hours this morning at a shooting range interviewing recruits for the Afghan National Police at an old Soviet military training ground. The unusual part about the assignment: all the aspiring police officers are women.