Investments in women are investments in US national security

The rapid spread of COVID-19 to every corner of the globe reminds us of how interconnected the world has become. What once appeared to be a distant concern now affects communities throughout our own country, and this global interconnectedness creates both challenges and opportunities for the United States. Through our investments in foreign assistance, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) works with foreign governments, civil society, local organizations, and the private sector in our partner countries to help them become more self-reliant. This creates conditions for their peace, stability and economic growth.

These investments lead to more markets for American products, stronger diplomatic ties, and help end the need for foreign assistance. They also directly combat poverty, disease, and humanitarian crises abroad. When these issues are left unchecked they can manifest themselves in calamity or conflict — threatening American lives and prosperity. 

Some of the most significant returns in foreign assistance come from our investments in women’s economic empowerment, including addressing foundational legal reforms for women. In the W-GDP Index, a landmark report released earlier this year, the White House Council of Economic Advisors estimated that eliminating just five types of foundational legal barriers could add $7.7 trillion in new global economic growth by 2025. As a lifelong public servant, I have seen first-hand the power these investments in women have. 

The Trump Administration is leading by example, by prioritizing women’s economic empowerment and linking it to our national security. In 2019, President Trump established the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, the first-ever whole-of-government approach to women’s economic empowerment. Under the leadership of Advisor Ivanka Trump, W-GDP seeks to economically empower 50 million women in the developing world by 2025 through U.S. Government’s programs, innovative new partnerships with the private sector, and a new W-GDP Fund at USAID. In its first year, W-GDP reached more than 12 million women worldwide.

One particular focus for W-GDP is bridging the gender digital divide, recognizing that women in many communities around the world have restricted or no access to the Internet, limiting their ability to participate in an increasingly digital economy. Three of the W-GDP Fund’s most recent investments recognize the potential and power of digital technologies and networks in achieving this goal. These investments also demonstrate the critical role the private sector can play in advancing U.S. development objectives while expanding their commercial opportunities abroad. 

With a $5 million investment from the W-GDP Fund, Microsoft Airband, an initiative that provides affordable broadband access to users globally, will bring at least 10 million people under Airband coverage in the next three years. This partnership will also build a business and customer base that makes women critical employees and consumers.

The W-GDP WomenConnect Challenge (WCC) is a global call to action for solutions that specifically address the barriers that keep women digitally unconnected. This year, for its third challenge round, W-GDP WCC will work with Reliance Foundation and provide $4 million to create compelling digital services and products for women and their families, especially in communities with laws and social conditions that restrict women’s use of technology. 

The W-GDP Fund is also working with WEConnect International through an alliance with IBM, SAP Ariba, ExxonMobil, Procter & Gamble, and Accenture to develop a multilingual Artificial Intelligence platform to help women-owned businesses across 100 countries gain access to new markets and investors with the click of a few buttons. This $3.6 million partnership will connect thousands of women entrepreneurs and business owners to buyers and sellers previously out of reach.

In the digital age, and amidst a complex pandemic, W-GDP engages and empowers women with technology to set the stage for stronger and more resilient economies globally. With women as leading agents of the economic recovery, our communities and our economies will flourish. 

Michelle Bekkering is the assistant administrator of the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and the Environment (E3) at the U.S. Agency for International Development.