Despite some important progress in recent years, in no country have women achieved economic equality with men, and women are still more likely than men to live in poverty. Gender inequality in work costs women in developing countries $9 trillion a year – a sum which would provide a massive boost to the global economy.

Women’s economic empowerment has the potential to transform many women’s lives for the better and support economic growth. However, the rise of extreme economic inequality is a serious blow to the fight against gender inequality and a threat to women’s rights.