"[Women] consistently end up with some of the worst, most poorly-paid jobs – often the ones that men either don't want to do or that are assumed to be naturally suited to women," the report said.

Napolean Navarro, UN Deputy Country Director makes detailed elaboration on the report. [China.org.cn]

Asian-Pacific women hold only a handful of legislative seats, fewer than anywhere else in the world except the Arab region. The Pacific sub-region accounts for four of the world's six countries without any women in the parliaments. Women in Japan and South Korea, the region's most developed countries, hold just 10 percent of legislative seats.

Khalid Malik, UN resident coordinator in China, acknowledged China's efforts in addressing gender inequality, saying China set a good example for other developing countries in eliminating gender gaps.

"Seeking gender equality is not the ultimate objective but is an indispensable part in future economic and social development," Malik said. "Therefore, it will continue to be among the UNDP's top priorities in China, as well as in the entire world."

(China.org.cn by Maverick Chen March 9, 2010)