'By increasing investments in women and young people -- in their education, economic opportunities, human rights and reproductive health -- we can free hundreds of millions of people from poverty, spare the lives of 30 million children and two million mothers, and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS in the next decade.'

According to the State of World Population 2005 report, jointly released in London and New York, freeing women from the discrimination, violence and poor health they face in their daily lives will "unleash the power of half of humanity to contribute to economic growth."

"We cannot make poverty history until we stop violence against women and girls," UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said at the release of the annual report in central London.

"We cannot make poverty history until women enjoy their full social, cultural, economic and political rights," she said.

Reverse the AIDS Epidemic

The report, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the UN Charter that enshrined equal rights for men and women, comes a month after the World Summit in New York. At it, international leaders proclaimed that "progress for women is progress for all."

"This is the message of this year's report," Obaid said. "By increasing investments in women and young people -- in their education, economic opportunities, human rights and reproductive health -- we can free hundreds of millions of people from poverty, spare the lives of 30 million children and two million mothers, and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS in the next decade."

The report says HIV/AIDS is "increasingly female and increasingly young" and proposes increasing investment in sexual and reproductive health and ending discrimination and violence against women and girls in an attempt to "reverse the AIDS epidemic."

Prevalence of Physical and Sexual Abuse

Obaid said that although many world leaders have called for free and fair trade to spur economic growth, it is time to call for action to "free" women through a series of "quick wins." According to her, these include ensuring that every country has a national campaign to end violence against women and advancing opportunities to educate girls.

The report says sexual discrimination is not a problem only of the developing world and highlights the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse regardless of geography, race or socioeconomic status and the inequalities apparent from the minimal numbers of women holding parliamentary seats. It says that even in the developed world the "pace of change is far too slow."

"For under $200 billion per year...the world can make poverty history by 2015...the same amount estimated for the reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina," Obaid said, adding that making equality a reality is far from impossible.

Calling on world leaders to live up to their promises to the world's women and girls and close the gap between rhetoric and reality, Obaid said she hopes the report comes as a "reality check."

"We have the means. We have the stated commitment," she said. "Now we need action."