Source: UN Radio
Economic policies should be more responsive to the needs of women and more instrumental to achieving inclusive development.

This is the message delivered by the head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to a high-level event in Doha, Qatar.

The Women in Development meeting coincided with the session of UNCTAD, which is also happening in Doha.

Its aim is to promote policies that empower women to be full participants in economic and social life.

UNCTAD chief Supachai Panitchpakdi said over the past decade income disparity and social inequality have increased.

"This is certainly the case with the gaps between men and women, which persist in developed and developing countries. Women still only earn an average of 75 per cent of men's pay in non-agricultural sectors and while women make up 45 percent of the world's workforce, they account for 70 per cent of the poor."

Mr. Supachai also said persistent and high levels of inequality does not only pose a moral challenge to policy makers, but can also be a source of economic and social instability and a drag on growth.