The 20th World Population Day will be celebrated on 11 July with focus on women and the economic crisis.

Much has been said about the full scale of the global economic crisis. That which started as a financial crisis in rich countries has now deepened into a global economic crisis that is hitting hard on developing nations. Experts say it is already affecting progress towards reducing poverty. It is certain that women and children in developing countries risk bearing the burden of the crisis as they suffer disproportionately during times of economic difficulties. To correct the errors of the past, this year World Population Day to be celebrated on 11 July is focusing on women and the economic crisis coined under the theme "Responding to the Economic Crisis: Investing in Women is a smart Choice".

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid underscores that during these times of global economic crisis, decision-makers have to increase resources for reproductive health, including family planning. "We can make greater progress for women and families. There is no smarter investment, with such high economics and social returns, than investing in the health and rights of adolescent girl and women," Thoraya Ahmed Obaid stressed. Policy responses that construct on women's roles as economic agents can do a lot to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis on development. This is so, experts say, especially because women, more than men, invest their earnings in the health and education of their children. As such, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon does not mince words when he says the global financial crisis is forcing everyone to save and cut cost, but work for women of the world should not be diminished. "When you empower a woman, you empower a family, when you empower a woman, you change the world", he stated.