The key to a fair and free society lies in the empowerment of women and girls. Unfortunately, women continue to encounter exclusion and inequality on a regular basis, particularly in terms of agency and socioeconomic standing.Gender equality has a major impact on lowering global conflict and poverty. However, international community often hesitates to act on or completely ignores the so-called women's issues like gender-based violence.

Education is the best way to improve the status of young women and girls: every year a girl stays in school, especially at the secondary level, makes her less likely to get HIV, get married young, or die as an infant or mother.Furthermore, the cost of not educating girls is estimated to be trillions of dollars. UNICEF estimates that the prohibition on secondary education for female students by the Taliban has cost the Afghan economy over $500 million. All levels of society, including governments, corporations, international institutions, and charitable groups, are responsible for reversing this tendency.

Policymakers should give more thought to the welfare of young women and girls, particularly in the context of maintaining peace and security. The international community should take concrete measures to back its verbal support for gender equality, such as increasing funding for campaigning and holding human rights abusers accountable. The growth of inadequate actors and democratic backsliding around the world makes immediate action imperative. A direct challenge against autocracy, poverty, and terrorism can be seen in the movement to empower young women and girls. For effective foreign policy, it is crucial that decision-makers prioritize the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.

By: Baniz Wasman