United Nations Radio

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that amid the worst global economic crisis in generations, investing in the health and education of women and girls is the most effective way to continue progress on development.

Afghani girl at blackboard

In a message for World Population Day, July 11th, the Secretary-General says girls are more likely to drop out of school when household incomes decline and women are more likely to lose their income. Cutbacks in health systems put women at even greater risk during pregnancy and childbirth.

Mr. Ban is urging countries to invest in girls' education and in women's reproductive health. These investments deliver well-known returns in terms of prosperity and productivity. And empowering women and girls to be productive members of society, he says, will do the most to contribute to economic recovery and growth.

Bissera Kostova, United Nations Radio.

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