In public debates around the world, women’s empowerment is increasingly being recognised as a top priority. The question of how to provide more economic opportunities for women is firmly on the agenda at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos this year. And longtime advocates for women are feeling energised, as countless others — men and women alike — have come to recognise the urgency of the task.

Affording women and girls the opportunity to succeed is not just the right thing to do; it can also transform societies and economies for the good of all. For example, bringing women’s labour force participation up to the same level as that of men would boost GDP by as much as 9% in Japan and 27% in India.