SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 5: GENDER EQUALITY

 

Gender equality can be understood as part of the long-term historical struggle for equality and democracy.

Since the situation for women and men and their living conditions looks different, things affect them in different ways too. Women and men have different resources and opportunities for managing the problems that arise.

In different societies women and men have different resources and opportunities, which affect the way they act and reason.

Gender inequalities have several facets which manifest themselves in different forms according to the context and situation of a region or community.

Discrimination against women primarily takes shape during the socialization  of individuals who ascribe certain roles and responsibilities to men

and women.

The theory, concept, and politics of gender equality can be understood as part of the long-term historical struggle for equality and democracy, but with a focus on equality between and democracy among women and men, and genders more generally.

The gender stereotypes created are so deeply ingrained in our minds that we tend to perceive gender equality only as a woman’s issue.

Several factors contribute to this discrimination; there are still others that increase or promote gender stereotyping.

The role of childbearing and childrearing, the non-economic status of domestic work performed by women, low participation in economic activities, and paid labor further exacerbate their inherently low position in society.

The vast amount of women’s work, which is either rewarded poorly or not rewarded at all, is being used to subsidize the world economy and fuel unequal and unsustainable growth.

More women are affected by poverty due to their larger share of unpaid work, limited access to resources and social protection, and lack of control over spending decisions when compared to men.

Men tend to be isolated from the process; this gives a very narrow perspective on issues of gender inequality.

The lack of control and access to various resources and property is an obstacle to women making their contribution to the process of development.

The contribution of women’s labor – in and outside the home – which is absolutely vital for the well-being of the society, continues to remain undervalued and mostly Invisible.

Sustainable development is incomplete without women’s participation and much needs to be done to ensure their inclusion in the process.

Their roles in society have been largely stereotyped, thereby undermining their true potential to contribute to society.

Women are considered and treated as subordinates to men; this is a practice that is prevalent in several parts of the world.

Access to resources and educational levels have pushed women to a level where it is difficult for them to escape from poverty traps.

As a result of this subordination, women are often subjected to various types of discrimination, humiliation, oppression, control, exploitation and various forms of violence.

Gender inequality manifests itself differently across education, employment opportunities, healthcare facilities, life expectancy, family life, and political participation therefore achieving equality between women and men is a major developmental imperative of our times.

Applying a gender perspective does not mean that you need to be an expert on gender yourself rather we have to know how the various things affect women and men in different ways.

We have to recognize that gender equality and women’s empowerment are important for sustainable development and our common future.

We have to reaffirm our commitments to ensure women’s equal rights, access, and opportunities for participation and leadership in the economy, society, and political decision-making.

We have to understand that women have a vital role to play in achieving sustainable development. We have to recognize the leadership role of women, and resolve to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and to ensure their full and effective participation in sustainable development policies, programs, and decision-making at all levels.

We have to address the gender imbalance in land ownership rights and access to natural, social, and economic resources that is essential for consumption and production.

We have to address gender gaps in education as it negatively affects economic growth.

We also have to understand that depriving women and girls of equal participation, choice, and opportunities have several implications not only for their lives but also for the future of the planet as a whole.

It is beyond doubt that promoting inclusive development and making efforts to combat climate change are closely linked as women demonstrate a higher tendency towards product reuse, waste reduction, and the purchase of organic and eco-labeled products.

Achieving gender equality is a matter of human rights and is crucial to progress across all the goals as gender inequalities intersect other inequalities, power imbalance, and discriminatory practices.

Gender issues extend beyond SDG5 and need to be addressed within all the other SDGs.

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