Gender Equality: Why It Matters

© UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe GENDER EQUALITY: On average, WHY IT MATTERS less than What’s the goal here? What happens if gender 1 in 3 To achieve gender equality is not ensured? senior and equality and empower Inequalities faced by girls middle all women and girls. can begin right at birth and follow them all their management Why? lives. In some countries, Women and girls represent girls are deprived of access positions half of the world’s popu- to health care or proper lation and therefore also nutrition, leading to a are held by half of its potential. But, higher mortality rate. today gender inequality As girls move into ado- women persists everywhere and lescence, gender dispari- stagnates social progress. ties widen. Child marriage As of 2014, 143 countries affects girls far more than have guaranteed equality boys. Globally, nearly 15 between men and women million girls under age 18 in their Constitutions but 52 are married every year— have yet to take this step. or 37,000 each day. Marrying young also cutting in the 29 coun- What can we do to affects girls’ education. tries in Africa and the About one third of devel- Middle East, where the fix these issues? oping countries have not harmful practice is most If you are a girl, you achieved gender parity common with a high risk can stay in school, help in primary education. of prolonged bleeding, empower your female In sub-Saharan Africa, infection (including HIV), classmates to do the same Oceania and Western Asia, childbirth complications, and fight for your right to girls still face barriers to infertility and death. access sexual and repro- ductive health services. entering both primary The Spotlight Initative, an and secondary school. EU/UN partnership, is a If you are a woman, you How does gender inequality global, multi-year initiative can address unconscious focused on eliminating all biases and implicit asso- affect women? forms of violence against ciations that form an Disadvantages in edu- women and girls (VAWG). unintended and often cation translate into lack an invisible barrier to of access to skills and But, why should gender equal opportunity. limited opportunities equality matter to me? If you are a man or a in the labour market. Regardless of where you boy, you can work along- Women’s and girls’ live in, gender equality side women and girls to empowerment is essen- is a fundamental human achieve gender equality tial to expand economic right. Advancing gender and embrace healthy, growth and promote social equality is critical to all respectful relationships. development. The full areas of a healthy soci- You can fund educa- participation of women ety, from reducing pov- tion campaigns to curb in labor forces would add erty to promoting the cultural practices like percentage points to most health, education, pro- female genital mutila- national growth rates— tection and the well-be- tion and change harmful double digits in ing of girls and boys. laws that limit the rights many cases. Investing in education of women and girls and Are there any other gender- programmes for girls and prevent them from achiev- increasing the age at which ing their full potential. related challenges? they marry can return To find out more Yes. Worldwide, 35 per $5 for every dollar spent. about Goal #5 and cent of women between Investing in programs other Sustainable 15-49 years of age have improving income-gener- Development Goals, visit: experienced physical and/ ating activities for women http://www.un.org/ or sexual intimate part- can return $7 dollars sustainabledevelopment ner violence or non-part- for every dollar spent. ner sexual violence. 1 in 3 girls aged 15-19 have experienced some form of female genital mutilation/.

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