The report urges immediate global action to address gender inequality. It says, that despite some positive trends, such as declining poverty rates and advancements in educational gender parity, the report stresses that no indicator under Goal 5 has been fully achieved as the 2030 deadline approaches.
In a compelling new report, the United Nations has called for urgent global action to address critical gender disparities and fulfil the promises made under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Released today by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2024” highlights both progress and persistent challenges in the fight for gender equality.
The report indicates that while there have been notable improvements, such as women now holding one in every four parliamentary seats – up from previous years – and a reduction in the number of women and girls living in extreme poverty, significant gaps remain. The share of women and girls in extreme poverty has dropped below 10 per cent after sharp increases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there have been up to 56 legal reforms globally aimed at closing the gender gap. However, the report underscores that no indicators under Sustainable Development Goal 5 – focused on gender equality – are currently being met.
At the current rate of progress, achieving gender parity in parliaments might not be realized until 2063, and it could take up to 137 years to eliminate extreme poverty among women and girls. The report also reveals that approximately one in four girls around the world are still married as children.
Costs of inaction immense
The findings come as world leaders prepare for the Summit of the Future, set for September 22-23, where they will be urged to create a new international consensus to bridge the gender gap. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Today’s report reveals the undeniable truth: progress is achievable, but is not fast enough. We need to keep pushing forward for gender equality to fulfil the commitment made by world leaders in the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing almost 30 years ago and the 2030 Agenda. Let us unite to continue dismantling the barriers women and girls face and forge a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.”
The report highlights the high economic cost of gender inequality, including an annual global loss exceeding USD 10 trillion due to inadequate education for young populations and a potential USD 500 billion loss for low- and middle-income countries over the next five years if the digital gender gap is not closed. Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, pointed out, “The costs of inaction on gender equality are immense, and the rewards of achieving it are far too great to ignore. We can only achieve the 2030 Agenda with the full and equal participation of women and girls in every part of society.”
Need for radical measures
Despite some positive trends, such as declining poverty rates and advancements in educational gender parity, the report stresses that no indicator under Goal 5 has been fully achieved as the 2030 deadline approaches. For instance, ending extreme poverty among women could take 137 more years at the current rate, and no country has fully comprehensive laws addressing all aspects of gender discrimination and violence.
The report also points to successful examples, such as countries with domestic violence legislation experiencing lower rates of intimate partner violence, underscoring the importance of legal reforms in combating gender inequality. The UN’s call to action stresses the need for radical measures to accelerate progress, highlighting that investments in women’s rights not only benefit individuals but society as a whole.
As global leaders head to the Summit of the Future, the report advocates for increased investments and stronger measures to eliminate discrimination against women and girls. It emphasizes that addressing these issues is crucial for fulfilling the 2030 Agenda’s promises and achieving true gender equality.
