PrettyCoolGuy comments

As some of the comments have alluded to here I think part of the complexity lies in the fact that almost any effort to "improve" the lives of women and girls around the world will run up against a number of cultural barriers.

"Gender Equality" is itself a culturally-informed idea that billions of people do not buy into yet. Its meaning differs even among the wealthy western nations that have by and large adopted it (or at least tried to). Going into some of these countries and trying to spread the gospel of careerism, contraception, and the elimination of gender roles, is bound to run up against much opposition, including the legitimate complaint of cultural imperialism.

It need not be a choice between helping and doing nothing; there are likely ways we can support people in the developing world that respects local cultures and identity. Or perhaps the logic of globalism requires us to just know what is best for everyone and try to get these "backward" societies to adopt our customs for their own good.