Introduction to SDG 5
Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) targets achieving
gender equality and empowering all women and girls. It strives
to eliminate discrimination and unequal opportunites however
most importantly it recognizes gender equality as not only a
fundamental human right but also a necessary foundation for a
peaceful and prosperous world
Globally gender inequality is a very major issue and is found in
many forms such as: unequal pay, gender-based violence and
Limited access to education and healthcare. The United Nations
highlights that achieving gender equality is essential to
addressing challenges that are connected such as poverty,
economic inequality, and climate change.
SDG 5’s main objectives include Eliminating violence and
discrimination against women and girls, promoting equal
leadership oppurtunities and finally ensuring universal access to
reproductive health and rights for all women. The United
Nations also states that tackling these issues are a step forward
in building a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world.
However SDG 5 includes major challenges globally such as
Weak legal frameworks and their enforcement, Limited access
to quality education and healthcare and culturally systemic
barriers. All of these issue make it harder for SDG 5’s goals to
be met. Globally, 1 and 3 women experience violence, and
women hold only 26.7% of parliamentary seats. However on a
more positive note these numbers are slowly coming down.
Pakistan like many other countries faces many challenges in
achieving gender equality making SDG 5 particularly relevant.
Despite many efforts made to counter these problems
traditional societal norms and cultural barriers limit the
effectiveness. Education and workforce participation are two
major issues and this can be seen as only 32% of girls are
enrolled in secondary education compared to 45% of boys.
Like wise women account for only 21% of the workforce most
of which are employed in informal sectors with low wages.
SDG 5 is essential in achieving gender equality not only in
Pakistan but globally by addressing systemic barriers and
Promoting education, leadership and empowerment in girls