From today's New York Times

While I applaud "Failing the World's Poor" (editorial, Sept. 24), neither the editorial nor most of the world leaders at the United Nations who addressed the crisis in development made the connection to what we know from research and experience -- that investing in women is one of the most effective ways to advance human development. It leads to better outcomes not only for women and their families, but also for the society over all.

Perhaps this is because there are only eight women heads of state among the more than 190 world leaders represented at the United Nations General Assembly.

June Zeitlin
Exec. Dir., Women's Environment
and Development Organization
New York, Sept. 24, 2008

It's true. Check out this Christian Science Monitor article about a new study which argues "as women progress in developing nations, so do those countries' economies." Read the survey,Girls Count, for more detailed data.