• Debt relief and growth

Debt relief and growth

When highly indebted countries spend large proportions of government revenue on debt repayments, they don't spend it on social services for the poor. This report advocates for debt cancellation on the grounds that its impact on women and girls is particularly brutal. Women are overburdened with social responsibilities and are increasingly vulnerable to violence and health problems. The report provides a concrete example of both the severe costs of debt, as well as the benefits of its cancellation.

The report calls on governments and donors to:

• uphold the commitments made to women and to ensure that agreements concerning loans, debt and debt cancellation do not violate their human rights
• cancel in full all illegitimate and unpayable poor country debts
• halt externally-imposed conditions attached to debt relief or cancellation
• involve women and consider their needs when deciding on fund allocations or debt cancellation

• Full text of document
• Publisher details
• Send to a friend