The number of women and girls living in conflict-affected areas has doubled since 2017. Today, according to a document by the United Nations Organization for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, more than 614 million women and girls live in conflict-affected areas.

In conflict zones, the document to which MZNews has had access indicates that women are 7.7 times more likely to live in extreme poverty. "Climate change is expected to leave 236 million more women and girls hungry by 2030, twice as many as men (131 million)," reads the document.

According to UN Women, at working age, only 61% of women are in the labor market, compared to 90% of men.

"We cannot continue to miss out on the gender equality dividend. More than 100 million women and girls could be lifted out of poverty if governments prioritized education and family planning, fair and equal wages and extended social benefits," the document states.

UN Women also says that almost 300 million jobs could be created by 2035 through investments in care services, such as day care and elderly care. And the elimination of gender disparities in employment could increase gross domestic product per capita by 20% in all regions.

However, for the organization that works for gender equality and the empowerment of women around the world, the current reality is far from that. The document reveals that programs dedicated to gender equality represent only 4% of public development aid.

"An additional 360 billion dollars a year is needed in developing countries to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women," says the document, adding that this represents less than a fifth of the 2.2 trillion dollars spent globally on military spending in 2022, for example.

For the Organization, the areas that need investment are clear and understandable: "First and foremost, there must be an investment in peace. In addition, the necessary investments include laws and policies that promote the rights of women and girls; transforming social norms that constitute barriers to gender equality; guaranteeing women's access to land, property, healthcare, education and decent work; and funding networks of women's groups at all levels."

UN Women also calls on member states of the Commission on the Status of Women, which will begin in New York on March 11, 2024, to back up their commitments to gender equality with resources.

According to this United Nations entity, world leaders have this opportunity to develop concrete and progressive agreed conclusions that reflect the crucial need to finance gender equality, women's empowerment and women's organizations.

On International Women's Day, UN Women is calling on the world to "Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress" as the best way to accelerate economic growth and build more prosperous and equitable societies.