LIMA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Despite advances seen in recent years, gender equality is still far away in the Latin American job market, said the regional director of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, on Thursday.

According to the senior executive, although the gap has narrowed, unemployment is still higher among women and the salary gap remains at around 15 percent.

Among women, the rate of labor market participation "has surpassed 50 percent for the first time, but it remains below that of men," said Salazar-Xirinachs, during a celebration in Lima on International Women's Day.

He highlighted the need to finally close the gap in the regional labor market to achieve social justice in favor of women and their incorporation into their countries' development.

"It is also key to take advantage of the immense potential currently wasted in the economic and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean," he added.