“Indian communities and their leaders are starting to realise how much potential lies in the empowerment of their sisters, mothers, wives and daughters.”

Despite India's rapid economic growth, it remains home to one third of the world's poorest people – and one third of the world's child brides. After visiting the country with his fellow Elders last month, Archbishop Tutu sees encouraging signs that young people and leaders alike are beginning to put equality for girls and women at the heart of India's development.

“This shouldn’t be such a difficult topic for people of faith. It seems entirely consistent with the teachings of the world’s great religions that men and women are equal in the eyes of God.”

After a meeting with fellow religious leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Archbishop Desmond Tutu writes about the role faith leaders can play in promoting equality for girls and women.

"We can no longer ignore this growing distance between rich and poor. It is time to close the gap. It is time to talk about making real changes so that the world becomes a more equitable place."

Ahead of his appearance in the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Desmond Tutu writes about the message he wants to deliver to the rich and powerful attending the conference.

This blog is based on Archbishop Tutu’s contribution to a debate hosted by the Forgiveness Project. He was joined by Mary Kayitesi Blewitt, who lost over 50 members of her family in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, Jo Berry, the daughter of Sir Anthony Berry who was killed in the IRA Brighton bombing in 1984, and by Pat Magee, a former IRA activist convicted of the bombing.

Having recently returned from Ethiopia where he met women who had been married as young as ten, Desmond Tutu calls on men and boys to stand up for the rights of women and girls and support efforts to end child marriage.