This is such an important point, Sallie. It’s also something we talk about a lot in our work at the foundation. In developing countries, economically empowered women are one of the most important engines of growth — and, given the chance, they can play a pivotal role in lifting their families and communities out of poverty.

It starts with the fact that women tend to spend money differently than men do. The data tells us that when women control their family finances, they are more likely to invest in their family by spending on things like nutritious food, healthcare, and school fees for their children. In fact, when a woman controls the family income, her children are 20 percent more likely to live past age five. To put it another way, this isn’t just an economic issue — for kids in the world’s poorest places, it can also be a matter of life or death.

The bottom line is that when you invest in women, you invest in the people who invest in everyone else. So as part of our efforts to drive economic development in the world’s poorest places, we’re specifically looking to get more income in women’s hands — and to expand their decision-making power over finances in their homes.

So I’m right there with you. I agree that — no matter where you are in the world — empowering women financially improves lives and economies. It’s the smart thing to do, and, even more important, it’s the right thing.