We need a breakthrough…
The world is waking up to the fact that progress — whether measured in economic growth, higher standards of health and education, protection of human rights or overall well-being — is intrinsically related to the status of women in society.
Decades of returns on international investment in women make the case — a growing body of evidence connecting women’s empowerment with economic growth shows us that we can no longer afford not to invest in women.
The Breakthrough Initiative — convened by Vital Voices Global Partnership with support from Paul E. Singer and New York University — is a coalition of Nobel Laureates, leaders in business, media, academe, civil society, government and elected officials committed to the belief that ‘investing in women is smart economics.’
View the “Breakthrough” film presented at The Economist’s The World In 2011 Festival:
lapietracoalition.wordpress.com 
l represent the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Nairobi Kenya and l am very impressed with the initiatives you are undertaking on women and economic empowerment. Our focus is to assist women entrepreneurs achieve their business objectives which is not always easy. We would therefore like to partner with you in this respect. Do let us know how we can create synergies with you on this.
We would really appreciate if you accorded us an opportunity to work with you.
l represent the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Nairobi Kenya and l am very impressed with the initiatives you are undertaking on women and economic empowerment. Our focus is to assist women entrepreneurs achieve their business objectives which is not always easy. We would therefore like to partner with you in this respect. Do let us know how we can create synergies with you on this.
This is an excellent initiative but much of the language used by your spokeswomen is women’s language and doesn’t align with your purpose.
Your advocates are still framing the case as a “push” for women (“opportunities” for women) rather than an essential “pull” by business and other economic actors in the interests of all through productivity, economic growth and global competitiveness.
As an example, like women, mineral deposits are an untapped resource. The language of mining does not refer to opportunities for the minerals.In making the case for mineral exploitation, the industry uses terms like”search”,” locate” ,”exploit” (perhaps “develop” is a better word) , invest”,” impediments”,”commercial value” and “return over time”.
If the coalition wants to build a case for pulling women from the bottom towards the top (of economic utilization) the language needs to use the language of those whom they want to be heard by, namely male decision makers.
Furthermore,a major impediment preventing a successful pull from the top is the benefit to the economy of women’s production and development of next generation of workers as well as the maintenance of the past depreciated generation. The current system, although free has a high opportunity cost in terms of the underutization of women in the workforce.However the challenge of nurturing our children and caring for our grannies must be addressed,
Eve Mahlab.AO,