Clinton Calls Women Key to Economy; Poverty Rises

At the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Women and the Economy Summit in San Francisco, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with delegates and ministers from twenty one countries in Asia and the Americas. Clinton highlighted women’s importance to world economies, saying women are a vital source of growth. The summit participants endorsed the San Francisco Declaration, which will increase women’s access to capital, financial services, and markets. Clinton also stated, "Unlocking the potential of women by narrowing the gender gap could lead to a 14-percent rise in per capita income by the year 2020 in several APEC economies including China, Russia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam and Korea."