Tomorrow, March 8th is International Women’s Day. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and the theme for 2017 is #BeBoldForChange. I have been blessed to meet and work with many “bold” women and mothers through my role as President of Mentors International.
Only between 10 percent and 20 percent of women in developing countries have land rights, and women often face more difficulty obtaining credit. Any poverty agenda must focus on women because they are 70 percent of the world’s poor. Women comprise two-thirds of the global illiterate population and all women face additional hurdles to their economic and social well-being.
I am grateful for the role Mentors International has played helping provide micro-loans and business training to these “bold” women who are working so desperately trying to provide a better life for their families.
Women make up 89 percent of the micro-loans that Mentors International gives out. Through continual mentoring and training these women are finding great success with their entrepreneurial endeavors. Last year Mentors International was able to assist over 27,000 families on their paths towards self-reliance. Many of the mothers we work with are now able to send their children to trade schools and universities – the first generation to do so.
Through meaningful collaboration, we can help women advance and unleash the limitless potential they offer to economies the world over. Will you #BeBoldForChange on International Women’s Day 2017 and donate to Mentors International so that we can continue to help mentor and provide micro-loans to these worthy women entrepreneurs?
Mark L. Petersen
President and CEO
(source: www.globalcitizen.org)
