Bringing women into the economic mainstream

THIS ARTICLE EXPLORES CONCERN FOR DEVELOPING NATIONS WOMEN FOR ECONOMIC REASONS AS WELL AS EQUITY AND POLITICAL GROUNDS. IT DETAILS HOW WOMEN CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, HELPING MAKE HEADWAY IN REDUCING POVERTY IMPROVING FAMILY WELFARE, SLOWING DOWN POPULATION GROWTH AND SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT. IT EXAMINES EVIDENCE WHICH SUGGESTS THAT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN CAN BE COST EFFECTIVE, BUT THAT IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO REFINE AND TEST INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, AS IT EXPANDS INTO MORE COUNTRIES AND A GREATER NUMBER OF FIELDS.