Women continue to face discrimination and marginalization. They are disproportionately affected by poverty, exploitation and violence, and too often denied an education – all solely because of their gender. Inequality in the labour market persists, and from the classroom to the boardroom in every country, women continue to bump up against the glass ceiling. Women still earn less than men for doing the same work. In the majority of countries, women’s wages represent between 70 and 90 per cent of men’s, with even lower ratios in some Asian and Latin American countries...They are more likely than men to be in vulnerable employment with low pay, poor working conditions, little job security, no health or pension benefits, and are often unprotected by labour laws...[C]losing the gender gap makes businesses – and countries – more competitive. Nations with more gender equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better...I strongly encourage others to sign on to the [UN Women’s Empowerment Principles] and to take all measures to ensure that women are given the opportunities they deserve.