Mar 2: Measuring Gender Inequality: The Girl Effect + Girl Rising + microfinance

Today we are going focus on the role of women in the challenge to address development. We are going to look at how women and girls play a critical role in determining the rate at which a nation develops. We will also examine how microcredit loans (micro-financing) has played a critical role in many communities in providing women an opportunity to enter the formal economy and lift their family and communities out poverty and raise the standard of living.
​Helpful Resources for Today's Class:

• UNDP Human Development Annual Reports: Gender Inequality Index Note: the lower the score, the less inequality/gap between men/women
• The World's Women 2015
• Gender Analysis Activity
• Global Wellbeing Booklet (PDF)
• Girl Rising Video Segments (you will need this for HW)

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HW: Watch Girl Rising + Read Rubenstein Ch. 12 (Services)

After today's class focus on Gender Inequality and the role of women and girls in addressing development challenges (and human rights challenges), you are asked to watch one of the featured chapters of the Sundance Film Festival documentary "Girl Rising". Please watch the video on either Suma's Story (Nepal) or Senna's Story (Peru). There are additional videos you can watch that are included. 
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Link to Girl Rising video clips
Note: If you are interested and would rather watch the entire film, it is approx. 1 hour 40 min. long. It is heart-breaking, beautifully told stories of 9 girls, and stunning cinematography--this story is truly inspiring with a fantastic sountrack!
You can find the full-length film available for rent on Amazon. It is worth watching the entire film!

Additionally, we will move onto Part 2 of this unit & shift to Industry and Services. In preparation for that, please read/familiarize yourself with the "Services" chapter in Rubenstein, Chapter 12.