Christian Aid backs initiatives to help developing worlds women

Two government initiatives to improve the lives of women in the developing world were welcomed by Christian Aid.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg announced the Girls Education Challenge this week, which hopes to help up to a million girls in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.

A whopping £350 million will go into the project, enough to give either 650,000 girls six years of primary education or a million older girls a junior secondary education, for three years.

In addition, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell revealed further funding could prevent the deaths of more than 7,000 pregnant women in South Africa and Uganda.

Christian Aid Director Loretta Minghella was delighted with the news.

She said: “Continued gender discrimination is the most prevalent inequality of our time. More than 70 per cent of today’s poor are women and girls. Strong measures to combat such an iniquitous situation are hugely welcome.

“Access to education is essential to give girls more opportunities for their future, and access to family planning is crucial in helping women take control of their bodies.

“Christian Aid’s experience in many countries, however, shows that in order for societies to reap the benefits of gender equality, investment must also be made in civil society organisations that will hold governments accountable to everyone affected by their decisions.

“We hope sufficient funds are also targeted towards making that a reality.”

Announcing the Girls Education Challenge at the Liberal Democrats conference, Nick Clegg said: “Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of poverty.

“Investing in them early on and giving them an education not only radically alters their lives but has a massive knock on effect, benefiting their families and communities.

“Girls who have been to school are likely to do significantly better financially, socially and be far healthier.”