A U.S. women organization called on Friday Americans to improve women's status as the country is suffering from the worst economic crisis since 1930s.

"While we as a nation focus on the economic realities here in the U.S., we must not let global starvation, violence, trafficking, and the lack of health care, clean water, and basic necessities fall lower on our priority list," said Kim Gandy, the president of the National Organization for Women in a statement.

It was released to mark the coming International Women's Day on March 8 against the backdrop "an increasing number of women around the world find themselves and their families in dire economic circumstances."

According to the organization, among nearly 1 billion people who are living on US$1 or less a day, about two-thirds are women that face daily struggles, life-threatening challenges, hunger and disease in both poor and developed countries.

On the other hand, at least one of every three women worldwide are beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetime, with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries, it added.

"The world community of women must not allow difficult economic times to distract our global leaders from ending the wars, feeding the people, and stopping the systemic sexual violence and horrific crimes committed against women and girls in every country," Gandy said.

She urged for more investments to improve women's lives through education, training, healthcare, nutrition, access to capital and reduction of conflict, which should be one of top priorities to every nation.

"Making sure that women are doing well also means that their children will do well and future generations will continue to reap the benefits," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2009)