Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5)—Gender Equality—seeks to end discrimination, violence, and exclusion based on gender. Around the world, women and girls face legal, economic, and cultural barriers that limit their freedom and potential.
Globally, women still earn 20% less than men, are underrepresented in leadership, and do three times as much unpaid care work (UN Women, 2022). More than 1 in 3 women experience gender-based violence (WHO, 2021).
Gender inequality intersects with poverty, education, health, and climate. In many regions, women are denied equal access to education, land ownership, healthcare, and civic participation (United Nations, 2022).
Legal reform, access to reproductive healthcare, education, and economic inclusion are key levers for long-term change.