The global financial crisis is taking a heavy toll on families and communities everywhere, and when money is short it is girls and young women who are most affected. As a result of the current crisis, in 2009 alone an estimated additional 50,000 African babies will die before their first birthday. Most of these will be girls.

But its not just infants that are suffering. As parents face job losses and reduced income, younger girls are being removed from school and sent to work to earn money for their families. Global economic development and human rights for girls will be set back decades if the impacts of the financial crisis are ignored.

Yet, even before this current crisis, millions faced a harsh and insecure future. Many young women are employed as casual labour, enduring long hours in garment or electronic factories and are often the first to lose their jobs during economic downturns. Thousands end up working in the sex trade and other high-risk jobs.

Girls in the Global Economy: Adding It All Up is the latest report in Plans Because I am a Girl series and presents new analysis of the important role that girls and young women play in economic growth and the missed opportunities of failing to invest in their futures.

Many girls face harsh challenges from birth and the report is also a call to action to invest early in girls education and meaningful work opportunities to ensure a more prosperous and equitable society. It is in everyones interest to invest in girls.