Over 90% of Fortune 500 Companies have a supplier diversity program under which they actively seek to source from women. As sourcing is no longer local or national, this presents an enormous opportunity for women around the world to sell into global supply chains.

United Nations Global Compact members and other corporations with a commitment to sustainable business models and sustainable markets, are increasing the demand for goods and services supplied by high-caliber women-owned businesses.

Learning from the example set by the corporate social responsibility early movers, more global corporations are discovering that integrating women into their value chains makes good business sense. The diversification of the supply base brings new skills, innovation and increases competition. It also strengthens the communities in which supplies are secured.

For governments and civil society, empowering women through trade is a catalyst for achieving gender equality. When women are educated and can earn and control income, a number of good results follow - infant mortality declines, child health and nutrition improve, agricultural productivity rises, population growth slows, economies expand, and cycles of poverty are broken. That is good for women, good for men and good for business.