Binta Diao News Today

The global advocate for women and girls shares the stories of some extraordinary women whose vision and ingenuity are creating new possibilities for their countries and industries.

The global advocate for women and girls shares the stories of some extraordinary women she met on a recent visit to Africa.

Women are playing an important role in Africa's bright future. But to get there they have had to persevere through economic hardships, unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities, and a pervasive cultural norm that women belong in the home, writes Melinda French Gates.

World Bank estimates that if women had the opportunity to earn as much as men, total global wealth would increase by 14pc.

On a visit to Senegal and Rwanda in June—my first trip to Africa since the pandemic began—I encountered example after example of African-born innovation. Among them : A rural university training the next generation of global health professionals. A business turning discarded tires from mosquito breeding grounds into the base for synthetic turf and fuel for cement plants. A team of scientists developing cutting-edge vaccines and treatments for a range of infectious diseases.

Imagine the breakthroughs Africans could benefit from if institutions invested more in the transformative power of women entrepreneurs.