In South Asia’s poorest countries, empowering women is essential to reducing poverty

There are millions of such inspiring, independent women across South Asia—especially in the poorest countries, which are served by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA).

Hartwig Schafer |
Digital Development, Education, Gender, Jobs & Development, Poverty, Social Protection

Now is the time to invest in South Asia’s future

The World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, IDA has been a reliable partner in South Asia for more than six decades and contributed to a sharp decline in poverty in the region. Yet, for…

Hartwig Schafer |
Climate Change, Education, Environment, Fragility Conflict and Violence, Gender, Governance, Health, Inequality and Shared Prosperity, Jobs & Development, Poverty, Water

A Lesson from Malala: Girls’ Education Pays Off

Originally published on the World Bank 'Voices: Perspectives on Development' blog   When I heard the news last autumn that 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan had been shot simply…

Sri Mulyani Indrawati |
Education, Gender

A Lesson from Malala: Girls’ Education Pays Off

When I heard the news last autumn that 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan had been shot simply for standing up for her right as a girl to get an education, I was horrified. It also reminded…

Sri Mulyani Indrawati |
Education, Gender