UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon greeted women of the world on the eve of the International Women’s Day.

In his message posted on the UN website, Secretary General stressed on this centenary, we celebrate the significant progress that has been achieved through determined advocacy, practical action and enlightened policy making.

However, in certain countries women remain second-class citizens.  He stressed women and girls also continue to endure unacceptable discrimination and violence, often at the hand of intimate partners or relatives.

“This year’s observance of International Women’s Day focuses on equal access to 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. 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,” the message reads.

In his speech Ban Ki-moon stressed that “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.”