Findings indicate that there are three main reasons that women access and use financial products and services at lower rates than men. First, there are fewer products on the market that meet women's needs; second, the products that do exist tend not to be effectively marketed or delivered to women; and third, societal and structural barriers stand in the way of women's ability to be financial actors.

Ironically, when women are in control of financial assets, they are often more likely than men to invest in the health, education and well-being of their families, suggesting significant benefits of financial inclusion to society as a whole and future generations.

Then there are the potential benefits, of course, to the financial services industry and the global economy. According to the report, conservative estimates in the retail banking, investment and insurance sectors show that closing the financial gender gap could unlock $40 billion in annual global revenue in retail banking product access; unlock $290 billion in annual global revenue in life insurance access; and enable financial services firms to grow their share of $100 billion to $120 billion in annual revenue that women currently contribute to the retail investment market.

"Economically empowering women provides an undeniable return on investment: markets grow, women thrive and families and communities are stronger. Closing the gender gap in access to financial products and services is an opportunity and obligation we can't ignore any longer. If we want a better future, it starts with gender equality," Kathy Calvin, president and chief executive officer of the United Nations Foundation, says in a statement.