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Mr Benjamin Whyte, Western Regional Population Officer of the National Population Council, on Thursday said poverty reduction is tied largely to the education of women. He added that their education also ensured the promotion of human rights, democracy, which also enabled them to make the right decisions and choices about family lives that could influence population growth and productivity. Mr Whyte said this at a day's advocacy seminar on the global economic recession and the need to invest in women in order to make them independent to enable them to play a major role in economic growth. "When we invest in women, they would be able to add value to themselves, which will stimulate sustainable economic development," he added. He noted that women and children in particular were likely to bear the brunt of the impact of the global economic crisis if appropriate measures were not adopted by the state. "Policy responses that build on women's role as economic agents can do a lot to mitigate the effects of the crisis on development. "Investment in women, education, child care and other social services will help mitigate the impact of the economic crisis on the entire family and raise productivity for a healthier economy," he said. Mr John Hackman, Regional Director, Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, said government was committed to ensuring that women were empowered adequately to contribute their quota to national development. Mr Daniel Quayson, Principal Accountant, Controller and Accountant General's Department of the region said the global financial crisis had had major impact on both developed and developing countries.