There's widespread evidence that gender equality is good for economic growth.
"SEXISM is not just wrong. It is also expensive. Latin America has made progress in bringing women into the workforce (see article). But their participation rate still lags far behind that of men. If the gap were closed, the region’s GDP per person would be 16% higher, estimate David Cuberes of Clark University in Massachusetts and Marc Teignier of the University of Barcelona."
Don't miss this article: http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21661804-gender-equality-good-economic-growth-girl-power?fsrc=scn/tw/te/pe/ed/girlpower.