World Population Day 2009 ( Investing in...)

World Population Day 2009

Date:7/9/2009

Investing in women and girls: cost-effective and smart economics, says UNFPA

United Nations, New York, NY (Vocus) July 9, 2009 -- Investing in women and girls during the global financial crisis will help set the stage for economic recovery and reduce inequality and poverty, according to Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. "There is no smarter investment in troubled times," added Ms. Obaid in her statement for World Population Day, which falls on Saturday, 11 July.

Women and girls were the majority of the world's poor, even before the current financial crisis, said Ms. Obaid. "Now, they are falling deeper into poverty and face increased health risks, especially if they are pregnant." For World Population Day, she added, "I call on all leaders to make the health and rights of women a political and development priority."

In developing countries, women's health has critical economic importance. Women are more than half the agricultural labour force. They grow 80 per cent of staple crops in Africa, and in South-east Asia, 90 per cent of rice growers are women.

Investing in reproductive health is especially cost-effective, noted Ms. Obaid, adding, as an example, "an investment in contraceptive services can be recouped four times over--and sometimes dramatically more over the long term--by reducing the need for public spending on health, education and other social services."

In a separate statement, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on decision-makers to "protect women's ability to earn income, keep their daughters in school, and obtain reproductive health information and services, including voluntary family planning.

"Together,
'/>"/>

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Pioneer of Digital Place-Based Media Joins World's Leading Blood Pressure and Health Kiosk Manufacturer
2. ChemoCentryx to Present at The 9th World Congress on Inflammation in Tokyo, Japan
3. Variants of umami taste receptor contribute to our individualized flavor worlds
4. Insite Security Partners With WorldClinic to Offer Global Medical Support to Clients
5. Allied World Schedules Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Announcement and Conference Call
6. World Financial Crisis and AIDS Backlash Threaten Lives
7. IBM Award for Innovative Solution to Tackling Worlds Most Critical Social and Environmental Problems
8. New Report Just Published: World Telemedicine Market Report
9. New Report Just Published: World Multiple Myeloma Therapeutics Market Report
10. New Report Just Published: World Hepatitis C Virus And Therapeutics Market Report
11. Rare sheep could be key to better diagnostic tests in developing world, says Stanford study

Post Your Comments:

World Population Day 2009( Investing in...),Health