These programs offer direct and guaranteed loans and grants designed to finance and facilitate the development of more than 80 different types of essential community facilities serving rural areas. These facilities include, but are not limited to, hospitals, elderly care facilities, child care centers, fire and rescue stations, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, schools, and public transportation infrastructure. There has been a substantial increase in farm loans to women. The amount of money loaned to women farmers has increased by 65 percent in the past four years. This percentage translates into an additional 1,702 loans made to women for maintaining or expanding their farm operations.
More women are in high-level positions.
A total of 228 additional women have been placed in high-level positions in the four years following the Beijing conference. Under Secretaries are women. This progress exemplifies the positive direction toward ensuring women's equal access to and full participation in power structures and decision-making.