Gender inequality costs sub-Saharan Africa $95 billion: UN

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - A U.N. report says sub-Saharan Africa loses around $95 billion a year due to gender inequality, jeopardizing the continent's efforts for economic growth.

The Africa Human Development Report 2016 launched Sunday by U.N. Development Program says deeply-rooted structural obstacles such as unequal distribution of resources and political power, combined with social institutions that sustain inequality are holding back African women, and the continent.

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark said if gender gaps are closed in labor markets, education and health, it will accelerate the eradication of poverty and hunger. The report was launched during the two-day Tokyo International Conference of African Development in Kenya.

Kenya's civil society is pushing parliament to ensure that a third of elective posts are occupied by women in accordance with the constitution adopted in 2010.