The United Nations SDG 5: Gender Equality

In 2015, the United Nations put together a list of seventeen goals to be achieved by 2030 – collectively known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they work as a blueprint for a better, sustainable future for all.

The fifth SDG aims to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls by 2030. The statistics are not at all promising, with 33% of women being subject to some form of physical and/or sexual violence. The representation of women in key leadership positions is also not reassuring. Indeed, it is a long road ahead and to understand what lies ahead, let us take a closer look at the sub-goals under this SDG. 

1. End discrimination against women and girls

2. End all violence against and exploitation of women and girls

3. Eliminate forced marriages and genital mutilation

4. Value unpaid care and promote shared domestic responsibilities

5. Ensure full participation in leadership and decision-making

6. Universal access to reproductive health and rights

7. Equal rights to economic resources, property ownership & financial services

8. Promote empowerment of women through technology

9. Adopt and strengthen policies and enforceable legislation for gender equality

These sub-goals are multifaceted and provide an overview of the various areas that need to be worked upon and reveal the fact that we need to rapidly develop technology and solutions to switch to renewable energy and commercialise the same. Also, there is a need for all to work together to provide a helping hand to people/countries who might require assistance in terms of funding, raw materials, manpower, or others.

Apart from these, the fulfilment of this SDG goal would be necessary for the fulfilment of the other SDG goals of the UN viz. clean water and sanitation, quality education, reduced inequalities, peace, justice, and strong institutions, etc.

Based on these, individuals, organisations, and governments across the globe need to base their strategies on these goals and sub-goals to bring in a focussed approach to the eradication of social evils in specific communities.

In this series of articles, we will discuss each of the SDGs in detail to understand the role of countries and stakeholders to fulfil these sustainable development goals.