Title_ Gender Equality and Sustainable Development

Author_ Paloma Duran y Lalaguna and Ekaterina Dorodnykh

Pages 1-11

Abstract_ Gender-related constraints have high costs to society in terms of untapped potential in achieving poverty eradication, health, education, food security, environmental and energy sustainability, and economic growth. There is strong evidence that closing gender gap accelerates progress towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. While there has been some progress towards better gender equality, there is much more to be done in abolishing gender discrimination. This paper showcases various approaches and interventions to promote gender equality, implemented by the UN development mechanism, SDG Fund and its precursor the MDG Fund. The case studies represent various geographical regions (Bangladesh, the occupied Palestinian territory, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Bolivia and Nicaragua) and confirm the importance of joint efforts to promote and protect the rights of women and girls with the aim to support sustainable development. Finally, various approaches and interventions to promote gender equality (mainly through capacity development, legislative and policy frameworks, advocacy and communication, increased awareness on gender equality and women empowerment, economic and political empowerment and access to health) confirm that gender equality is a multi-dimensional issue which needs to be addressed by a range of solutions and actors. Sustainable development can never be attained without the empowerment of women and girls. Urgent actions are needed to empower women and girls, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to benefit from development and removing the barriers that prevent them from being full participants in all spheres of society.

Keywords_ Gender, Sustainable Development, Joint Programs, United Nations