Gender inequality is one of the biggest obstacles to sustainable development, economic growth and poverty alleviation. MDG 3 to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment has resulted in significant progress in girls’ schooling and women’s inclusion in the labor market. The topic of gender equality has gained considerable visibility, but given the very circumscribed framework of MDG 3, other important issues, such as violence against women, economic disparities, and the low presence of women in policy-level decision-making bodies, could not be addressed.
Goal 5 aims to achieve equal opportunities for women and men in economic development, the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls (including the abolition of forced and early marriages), and equal rights at all levels of participation.
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and self-determination for all women and girls
- 5.1: End, everywhere, all forms of discrimination against women and girls
- 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, both in the private and public sphere, including trafficking in women and sexual and other exploitation
- 5.3: Eliminate all abusive practices such as arranged marriage, child brides and female genital mutilation
- 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work by providing public service, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within families in accordance with national standards
- 5.5: Ensure full and effective female participation and equal leadership opportunities at every level of decision-making in politics, business, and public life
- 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, as agreed in the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and documents produced at subsequent conferences
- 5.a: Initiate reforms to give women equal rights of access to economic resources as well as to ownership and control of land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
- 5.b: Strengthen the use of enabling technologies, especially information and communication technologies, to promote women’s empowerment
- 5.c: Adopt and intensify sound policy and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, at all levels
