Countries around the world are marking International Women's Day, celebrating the gains made by women in business, politics and education. But United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says those gains are not enough.

In a statement Thursday, the U.N. chief warned the world still has “a long way to go” before women and girls universally enjoy the same fundamental rights and freedoms as men. The secretary-general said the disparity is especially troubling for women and girls in rural areas, who make up about one-quarter of the world's population.

The U.N. says the almost half-billion women who work as small farmers or landless workers continually rank at the bottom of almost all economic, social and political indicators. U.N. officials say that if women had equal access to resources, global agricultural production would rise by 4 percent.

They also say ensuring women in rural areas have equal access to resources would help make major inroads in the fight against hunger.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay also urged governments to do more. She said the failure to capitalize on the potential of women is a global problem.

In the United States, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama are presenting International Women of Courage Awards to women from 10 countries — including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burma, Sudan and Colombia.

A State Department official says the awards are meant to highlight the critical role women are playing in growing economies and in contributing to peace and stability.