Having a child before becoming an adult: Exploring the economic impact in a multi-country analysis

This report, prepared by Population Council and Women Deliver, presents findings from one of the first multi-country analyses to examine the short- and long-term impacts of having a child before age 18 on employment and monetary compensation (cash earnings). Cash earnings (as opposed to in-kind payments and unpaid work) play an important role in economic empowerment. Research suggests women receiving cash are more likely to be able to make decisions about their own healthcare and education. The study dives further into women’s economic empowerment by analyzing married women’s sole control over her cash earnings. A woman’s power to make her own decisions over her health, income, and life choices is a marker of empowerment and a core element of gender equality

Twenty Years after Beijing: Can Promises be Turned into Progress?

Twenty years since the landmark women's conference at Beijing, and as the post?2015 agenda is concluded, it is clear that there has been a significant increase in rhetoric from governments and even some notable achievements in the field of women's equality and rights. But a failure to tackle underlying causes – particularly the persistent unequal power relations between women and men – has thwarted real, sustainable progress. A report by the Gender and Development Network has identified four areas in need of far greater political focus and resources: working with marginalised women to build their own agency; supporting women's collective action; promoting positive social norms; and reassessing macroeconomic policies and the role of the care economy