Gender equality remains a barrier to progress in Asia, according to the United Nations (UN) Development Fund.

The UN agency published a report on the region, which disclosed that under-representation of women in the workforce remains a barrier to progress, justice and social stability.

The study, entitled Power, Voice and Rights, claimed that South Asia, in particular, lagged with many gender-gap indicators more in common with sub-Saharan Africa.

It estimated that 96 million in Asia have died because of discriminatory access to health and nutrition.

Speaking to mark International Women's Day, Helen Clark, chief of the UNDP, claimed that a rise in female labor market participation would benefit Asian countries.

She said: "Gender equality contributes to human development. Under-representation of women in the workforce has a significant negative impact on growth."

A similar report released by the International Labor Office has revealed that there is still a "significant gap" between men and women in the global workforce.