I’ve been writing a lot about women lately, spreading the word that a lot of other people are writing and talking about them, too. World leaders, CEOs and civil society movers are realizing that helping women — particularly by giving them the skills, education and support to help themselves — improves the lot of everyone on Earth.
And now we have the ultimate affirmation that this topic has widespread purchase — that’s right, Oprah’s all over it. The talk-show megastar has long been committed to helping girls — even going so far as to open her own girls’ school in South Africa — but today she has dedicated her entire show to stories of women prevailing over odds to become empowered and grasp opportunities.
Authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn came on the show to discuss their new best-selling book “Half the Sky,” about the importance of investing in women. “The greatest unexploited resources that poor countries have isn’t some diamond or gold,” Kristof told Oprah. “It’s the female half of their populations.” Today’s show also included videos featuring Hillary Clinton and Ben Affleck discussing the need to empower and support women in many ways.
Oprah promoted her “For All Women Registry,” where supporters can direct philanthropic dollars to projects that help women pull themselves from poverty, recover after rape, escape from sexual slavery or get an education, among other things. One option is to give a woman a microloan, which, according to WuDunn, is a smart use of funding. “When you lend a women a small amount of money, she spends it wisely,” she said.
Another way people can help, according to Oprah, is sponsoring women for $27 a month through Women for Women International. Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of that organization, told Tonic.com that the money goes far because it is invested in ways that make the most difference. “In Sudan, the average income is $80 a year,” she said. “Our women are earning double that because we’ve been able to connect them to markets. This enables us to do much more.” I’m sure getting a shout-out from Oprah doesn’t hurt either.
“Each one of you watching today is more powerful than you know,” said Oprah, concluded with characteristic verve. “You have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life.” And then, patting a copy of “Half the Sky,” which, of course, everyone in the audience would take home, Oprah said: “It’s the greatest moral challenge of our time.”
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