SDG 5 – Gender equality
The world is off track to achieve SDG 5 by 2030
Discriminatory laws and other structural barriers dim prospects for gender equality by 2030.
Unless progress rapidly accelerates, the global community will fall short of achieving gender equality by 2030. Overall progress is insufficient, particularly given lags on structural issues such as gender-responsive laws, policies and budgets. Social norms continue to perpetuate discrimination, preventing women from gaining an equal footing with men. Women’s access to political and managerial positions and their ability to make choices about their sexual and reproductive health remain notably low. Violence against women is pervasive, and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, severely impact girls despite declines in recent decades. With limited data on SDG 5, much remains unknown about gender inequalities, rendering women’s experiences invisible in policies and decision-making. In the six years left until 2030, meaningful progress demands dramatically scaled-up commitments to change, backed by commensurate investments.
Inclusive legal frameworks
Robust laws and policies that promote gender equality and address gender discrimination are essential to achieving change.
Yet discriminatory frameworks prevail, undercutting progress worldwide. Between 2019 and 2023, 56 positive legal reforms took place across the four areas measured by SDG indicator 5.1.1 (overarching legal frameworks and public life; violence against women; employment and economic benefits; and marriage and family). Not a single country among 120 with data has all relevant laws in place in all four areas, however.
All discriminatory laws must be eliminated and strong legal frameworks that fully uphold gender equality and women’s right established in all areas. These should be backed by vigorous implementation, monitoring, adequate resources, and the building of necessary infrastructure and capacities
Violence against women and girls
Combating violence, harassment, and the abuse of women and girls in all forms and in all spheres of life, including online, will determine the achievement of gender equality.
Harmful practices
Harmful practices severely undermine the well-being of women and girls, including through long-term physical, emotional and psychological repercussions. They lead to profound societal consequences by perpetuating cycles of poverty, inequality and social instability.
Sexual and reproductive health rights
Backlash against the universal right to sexual and reproductive health and rights restrains progress towards gender equality and bodily autonomy.
Unpaid care work
Strengthened care policies, services, jobs and infrastructure are required to recognize, reduce and redistribute the unpaid care and domestic work burden, which is primarily shouldered by women.
Leadership and decision-making
Women are often denied leadership and decision-making roles in politics and the private sector.
Legal frameworks and land rights
The lack of legal frameworks and limited land rights for women undermine gender equality.
Digital inclusion
Improving women’s access to mobile phones can boost economic independence.
Gender-responsive budgeting
Most fiscal systems do not track resources for gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout the public financial management cycle.
