Ensuring that women have fair access to the jobs market is important both in terms of equality and economic growth.

This is the assertion made by Angel Gurria, the secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), who highlighted the many benefits of gender balance in the workplace.

He was speaking at an event to mark International Women's Day and insisted: "As we confront the scars of the financial crisis and search for new sources of growth, we cannot waste women's economic contributions."

Mr Gurria explained encouraging more females to join the labor market could help to address problems associated with ageing populations, with measures such as better childcare provision and greater flexible working opportunities assisting in this.

International Women's Day 2011 took place on March 8th, marking 100 years of the celebrations, with the OECD launching a new Gender Initiative to improve equality in employment.

Posted by Lee Thrace