It is sometimes said that if women received the same training and opportunites as men in developing countries, that the number of people living in poverty could drop by as much as 150 million.
In South African, the women are taking the situation into their own hands.
In Tooseng village in the Limpopo province of South Africa a group of 10 women have established the Sedikong sa Lerato co-operative. Sedikong sa Lerato means circle of love.
The co-operative operates a drop in centre for orphaned and vulnerable children. It works to alleviate hunger and runs an organic garden.
And it produces tea. Horseradish tea. A tea renowned for its healing and nutrional values. In early November Mavis Mathabatha travelled to Manchester, United Kingdom to promote the work her co-operative does and to educate the 11,000-plus visitors about the values its tea holds.
“It is a very nutritious tea and we have started feeding the children it,” explained Ms Mathabatha at the conference and exhibition.
A circle of love indeed.