Emerging markets are not making use of women's talents and are facilitating an environment that is not only stunting for female aspirations, but can also become dangerous for women, which was illustrated by the shooting of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban for campaigning for women's rights to education.

The root of the problem is the lack of education on social equality at a local level. Until local community leaders are engaged and women's rights are really taught and recognised within communities, no real change will occur.

I urge banks to work to ensure women have access and support to be able to obtain finance. I call on the G20 leaders to create the environment where women receive the support they deserve and require in order to continue to build on their contribution to the global economy.

Can we end global poverty? Although it wasn't top of the list of topics at recent party conferences, it is in Britain's national interest to be a leader on the issue of global poverty. It helps ensure stability at home and around the world. Where do we start? First, we need fewer handouts and better results. While there are many success stories, there is much more to do to reach our goals. In this challenging financial and political environment, where we cannot afford to waste any resource, human or otherwise, we need overseas aid that helps countries build public and private infrastructure to solve problems, not create cultures of complacency and dependency.