If you're a woman living in the poorest communities in the world, it doesn't matter how smart or hard-working you are: it's often much harder to earn a decent wage and participate in your country's economy.
Thanks to microsavings, women at the bottom of the world's economic ladder are finally gaining access to financial services that allow them to save and start income-generating businesses. But we need to make sure that our government continues to give women an equal shot at making an income that supports their family.
You can help women around the world access tools and resources they need to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
Please urge your representatives to co-sponsor the Microenterprise Empowerment & Job Creation Act (H.R.2524) and the Microfinance & Microenterprise Enhancement Act (S.2027) today!
As a CARE supporter and your constituent, I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor legislation that expands economic opportunities for women (H.R.2524 & S.2027). In these uncertain economic times, the role of poverty-focused government support for women's economic development opportunities is critical.
Women in poor communities are more likely to spend their income on food, education and health care for their children, activities that help lift families out of poverty. However, they often face unequal barriers to participating actively in their countries' economies.
The Microenterprise Empowerment & Job Creation Act and the Microfinance & Microenterprise Enhancement Act both reauthorize previous microenterprise legislation and provide means and incentives for USAID to direct substantially more microenterprise resources to the very poor.
The bill will help women in developing countries access savings accounts and services. It will require that 50 percent of all microenterprise funds at USAID are targeted to the very poor, including those who live on less than $1.25 a day. It will also direct funds to geographic areas of most need. This bill creates a positive business environment, improves access to savings, and contains solutions to address exclusionary social and economic norms and practices.
[Your comments here]
Please co-sponsor H.R.2524 and S.2027. Countless women are eager to have the resources to lift themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty for good.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
