Kuala Lampur, March 2 -- Over nearly a decade leading the United Nations, I have seen our world repeatedly tested - by climate shocks, deepening poverty, violent conflict and shrinking civic space.

But I have also watched many solutions take root, and they shared one common denominator: women.

As the world marks International Women's Day, it is time to recognise that gender inequality is the greatest human rights challenge of our time - and advancing equality is one of the strongest drivers of sustainable development and peace.

Here are eight actions drawn from my own experience, and inspired by the work of the UN system and civil society movements across the globe, to advance women's rights and deliver results.

1. Fix the power gap ...