On the occasion of the centenary of the International Women’s Day observed on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for equal access for women on education, training and science and technology.

In a message to observe the international day, Ban said although the gender gap in education is closing, there are wide differences within and across countries, and far too many girls are still denied schooling, leave prematurely or complete school with few skills and fewer opportunities.

“Women and girls also continue to endure unacceptable discrimination and violence, often at the hand of intimate partners or relatives,” Ban said.

He called for equal access for women on education, training and science and technology. Cell phones and the Internet, for example, can enable women to improve the health and well-being of their families, take advantage of income-earning opportunities, and protect themselves from exploitation and vulnerability, Ban said.

“Access to such tools, backed up by education and training, can help women to break the cycle of poverty, combat injustice and exercise their rights.”

He also called for more efforts in a bid to achieve significant progress in the area of women’s and children’s health, and to raise the representation of women in the realm of decision-making.

The UN chief said the launch this year of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women UN Women demonstrates the intent to deepen the pursuit of this agenda.

“Only through women’s full and equal participation in all areas of public and private life can we hope to achieve the sustainable, peaceful and just society promised in the United Nations Charter,” Ban said.