Devex: Opinion: We have to think bigger about investments in women and girls
Megan O’Donnell, senior policy manager at the ONE Campaign

“…2019 must be the year the world finally gets serious about long-term investments in women and girls, and especially those living in extreme poverty. … In August, France will host the G-7 Summit, where world leaders have an opportunity to make historic policy and financial commitments that benefit women and girls. … France is also hosting the replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in October 2019. … Donor countries will play an important role at the G-7 and in fighting AIDS, but so too will African governments, who need to increase investments in their citizens and ensure that investments effectively reach women and girls. That’s why the ONE Campaign and our partners will call upon African leaders to also increase their ambitions in 2019 with regard to promoting gender equality, implementing, and financing necessary policy changes to meaningfully improve women and girls’ capabilities and opportunities alike. Beating extreme poverty by tackling global gender inequality will, of course, require more than just one G-7 or replenishment. It’ll take a steady stream of victories both big and small. And that important work must not wait a minute longer. Investing in women and girls is the single most promising economic, political, and social opportunity of our time. 2019 should be the year we treat it that way” (2/12).