African debt is closely tied to the structural adjustments imposed by the World Bank. The current debt-reduction program is moving too slowly. Though it is the basis for development, education lags. The absence of educational opportunity created the climate for war in that country. One of the surest ways to foster development is to educate women.
Educational reform is slower when women are left behind.
Educated women make for educated children. As demonstrated currently, poorly educated young women are subject to sexual pressure from older men, a major contributor to the AIDS crisis. Even though western countries are moving to stop AIDS and considering new ways to attack it in Africa, massive investment is needed to establish health services. War, like AIDS, cripples economic progress. The United States has no intention of committing troops to Africa.