“One of the best ways to fight poverty is to educate women and give them economic opportunity. Microfinance institutions are at the center of that solution.” – Sheryl WuDunn

Microfinance is available to both men and women entrepreneurs. Yet, the gains that women achieve are almost three times more likely to be reinvested in their children—providing a powerful generational multiplier that accelerates economic growth. A woman will spend 90% of her income on her family, while men typically spend only 35%.

So it makes sense that if we want to change the world, we need to focus on providing women with economic opportunities.

We are proud to say that Opportunity International is part of the growing “Half the Sky Movement” to invest in women. Ninety-three percent of our loans go to women, who consistently show inspiring resilience and determination to change their own world and the future of their children. Invest in women today. Visit opportunity.org/give to empower a woman working her way out of poverty.

Sheryl WuDunn is the co-author of “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” and was a speaker at Opportunity’s 2011 Microfinance Conference.