Click here to read a fact sheet on the GROWTH Act from Women Thrive Worldwide:
http://www.womensedge.org/images/growth%20color%20one-pager%20-%20oct%205%2007.pdf

To learn more about International Women’s Day: http://www.internationalwomensday.com  and http://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1105

To learn about the Women, Faith, and Development Alliance: http://www.wfd-alliance.org/

To get involved with Episcopal Relief and Development’s work with women in the developing world through micro-credit: http://erd.servicenetwork.com/Store/ProductDetail.asp?GUID=A47F26F0-DF2B-485B-B87D-9052D74F0334&Category=Economics&SubCategory=&Catalog=&VS=Truehttp://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1105

One line on a property deed can be the difference between poverty and hope for a woman and her family.

I know, because for years I have worked to help women in my country, Nigeria, build businesses so they can feed their children and give them the education they deserve. But there are many things standing in these women’s way.

For example, in some places in the developing world, there is only one line for one name on property ownership forms. This one line may not seem like a big deal, but it works to systematically deny a woman property rights, blocks her from getting the credit she needs to build a business, and forces her to fight for her home if her husband dies—because that one line is for a man’s name.

The solution is as simple as adding another line so that a husband and wife may both own their family’s land.

Right now the Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive Act (GROWTH Act) is moving through Congress. This crucial bill will change the way the United States gives aid to help draw that line and give women the resources they need to provide for their families.

Shade Bembatoum-Young,
Member, Women Thrive Worldwide Women’s Edge Coalition
Executive Director of ASSEED
Lagos, Nigeria