Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5: Gender Equality

Summary

In 2015, the United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at transforming the world by 2030. Goal 5, gender equality, seeks to empower women and girls, addressing disparities and harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite progress, challenges persist, including underrepresentation in leadership, gender-based violence, and economic inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, highlighting the need for inclusive policies and actions to ensure gender equality and utilize women's potential fully.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The SDGs, established in 2015, consist of 17 global goals aimed at transforming the world by 2030 through various initiatives, including poverty eradication, fighting inequality, and addressing climate change.
• 🎯 Goal 5 focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, with nine specific targets to address disparities and harmful practices.
• 📉 Despite progress, women are still underrepresented in political leadership, and prejudicial laws and social norms persist, perpetuating gender inequality.
• 👥 Data from 87 countries indicates that one in five women and girls under 50 have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner within the last 12 months.
• 💔 Child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) are prevalent harmful practices affecting millions of girls, with FGM being particularly concentrated in 30 countries, half of which are in West Africa.
• 📉 The prevalence of FGM has declined by one quarter since around 2000, but child marriage remains a significant issue, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• 💼 Women's economic empowerment is hindered by the gender pay gap, with women earning only 77 cents for every dollar men earn, and by limited representation in agricultural land ownership.
• 🏫 Education has seen improvements, with two-thirds of developing countries achieving gender parity in primary education, but challenges in secondary and higher education persist.
• 📊 The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing risks and problems for women, leading to a 'shadow pandemic' of increased domestic violence and job losses in insecure, informal, and lower-paying jobs.
• 🔄 UN Women emphasizes the importance of placing women and girls at the center of national responses to COVID-19 for impactful recovery and calls for inclusive policies.
• 🌟 Professor Emily Burrell highlights the role of African communities and organizations in combating gender inequality and the creative strategies used to challenge state practices and ensure women's rights are prioritized.

Q & A

What are the SDGs and when were they established?

The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals, were established in 2015 by the United Nations. They consist of 17 global goals aimed at addressing various issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030.

How many targets and indicators are there within the 17 SDGs?

The 17 SDGs are made up of 169 targets and 230 indicators, providing a comprehensive framework for sustainable development.

What is the primary aim of SDG Goal 5?

SDG Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, addressing disparities and working towards a more equitable society.

What are some of the achievements in gender equality despite the ongoing disparities?

Achievements include fewer girls being forced into early marriages, increased representation of women in political offices and leadership positions, and the introduction of legislation that reforms discriminatory practices and advances gender equality.

What is the impact of harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) on girls under 18?

Harmful practices like child marriage and FGM affect millions of girls under 18, with child marriage impacting 15 million girls annually and FGM affecting at least 200 million women in 30 countries where it is concentrated.

How does the COVID-19 pandemic potentially affect the progress towards ending child marriage and FGM?

The COVID-19 pandemic could set back progress towards ending child marriage and FGM due to school closures, widening poverty, and the increased vulnerability of girls.

What is the economic disparity between men and women according to the data from UNDP Africa?

According to UNDP Africa, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar that men earn for the same work, highlighting a significant economic disparity.

What percentage of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, according to the data provided?

Data indicates that 35 percent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

How does the COVID-19 pandemic impact women's employment, particularly in informal and lower-paying jobs?

The pandemic has led to job losses, particularly for women who hold the majority of insecure informal and lower-paying jobs, exacerbating the risks and problems they face.

What does UN Women argue is crucial for national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic?

UN Women argues that it is crucial for national responses to the pandemic to place women and girls at the center, focusing on their inclusion, representation, rights, social and economic outcomes, and protection.

What is the role of academic and research institutions like UNC's Center for African Studies in addressing SDG Goal 5?

Academic and research institutions play a vital role in engaging with SDG Goal 5 by conducting research, sharing insights, and developing strategies to combat gender inequality and promote gender rights.

What steps are needed to achieve gender equality according to the script?

Achieving gender equality requires bold, persistent, and sustainable actions targeting structural barriers and causes of discrimination against women, backed by appropriate laws, policies, funding, and strong accountability frameworks.