Gender Equality
Gender Equality is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations in 2015. It aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
What is Gender Equality?
The Gender Equality Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) encompasses various aspects of gender equality, addressing the discrimination, violence, and disadvantages that women and girls face in different spheres of life. It emphasizes the need to eliminate gender-based disparities and ensure equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources for women and girls.
The gender equality sustainable goal aims to provide women’s empowerment by:
Ending discrimination and violence: It seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against women and girls, including child marriages, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence.
Ensuring equal opportunities and participation: The goal emphasizes the importance of women’s full and equal participation in decision-making processes, political, economic, and public life at all levels.
Ensuring access to reproductive health and rights: It emphasizes universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, family planning, and reproductive rights for women and girls.
Promoting economic empowerment: The goal aims to achieve gender equality in economic opportunities, access to resources, financial services, land ownership, and employment. It also addresses the gender pay gap and promotes women’s entrepreneurship and leadership in economic sectors.
Challenging stereotypes and norms: The goal seeks to challenge and change gender stereotypes, harmful cultural norms, and social practices that reinforce gender inequality and discrimination.
Strengthening policy frameworks and institutions: It calls for the implementation of gender-responsive policies, laws, and institutions to advance gender equality and protect women’s rights.
Definition of Gender Equality
Gender Equality Initiatives
Girls’ Education Initiatives
Numerous organizations and initiatives focus on promoting girls’ education and reducing gender disparities in education. Programs provide scholarships, mentorship, and support to ensure that girls have equal access to quality education.
Ending Child Marriage
Organizations and campaigns work to end child marriage, a harmful practice that disproportionately affects girls. Efforts include legal reforms, awareness-raising campaigns, and community engagement to change social norms and protect girls from early marriage.
Workplace Gender Equality
Various initiatives work towards achieving gender equality in the workplace, addressing issues such as the gender pay gap, equal opportunities for promotion, and work-life balance. These efforts aim to create inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Why Gender Equality is Important
Social Justice & Equity
Gender equality is essential for creating a just and equitable society. It aims to address and rectify the historical and system disadvantages and discrimination that women and girls have faced. By promoting gender equality, we strive for a society where everyone has equal opportunities regardless of their gender identity.
Peace & Security
Gender equality is closely tied to peace and security. Research shows that societies with greater gender equality are more peaceful and less prone to conflict. By addressing gender-based violence and promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes, gender equality contributes to peaceful and stable societies.
Human Rights
Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It recognizes that all individuals, regardless of their gender, have the right to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. It ensures that everyone has equal access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making processes, without discrimination based on gender.
Quality Education Statistics
16% Pay Gap
Globally, women continue to face a gender pay gap, with women earning less than men for performing similar work. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the global gender pay gap stands at around 16%.
1 in 3 Women
Gender-based violence remains a significant issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often perpetrated by an intimate partner.
Up to 10 Million Girls
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 10 million more girls are likely to become child brides by 2030 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the 100 million girls projected to be at risk before the pandemic.
Gender Equality in the News
Nebraska Votes to Restrict Abortion and Transgender Care for Minors
The Nebraska Legislature passed a bill on May 19, 2023, that would ban abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy and restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Pete Ricketts.
UN Women Launches New Strategic Plan to Increase Women’s Political Participation and Leadership on Climate Change
UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, launches a new strategic plan on May 18, 2023, to increase women’s political participation and leadership on climate change. The plan aims to ensure that women are at the forefront of decision-making on climate change and that their voices are heard in the global climate negotiations.
DOJ Expands Anti-Profiling Rules to Cover Thousands More Who Work in Justice System
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 18, 2023, that it is expanding anti-profiling rules to cover thousands who work in the justice system. The new rules will apply to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges.
How to Help Zero Hunger Initiatives
Advocate for Change
Speak out against gender discrimination, support organizations that are working to promote gender equality (e.g., UN Women, Equality Now, etc), vote for candidates who support gender equality, and more.
Donate
Donate to organizations that are working to promote gender equality around the world, such as Women for Women International and Equality Now.
Education
Learn more about the history of gender inequality and the challenges that women and girls face around the world. Share what you learn with your friends, family, and colleagues.