A recent report from the United Nations raised serious concerns about the global community’s ability to achieve gender equality by 2030. The Gender Snapshot 2024, launched by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, highlights that while some progress has been made, it is insufficient and slow, with no indicators under Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) currently being met.
Key Findings of the Report
The 36-page report emphasises several critical issues hindering progress towards gender equality:
- Gender Parity in Leadership: Women currently hold one in every four parliamentary seats worldwide. However, at the current rate of progress, gender parity in parliaments may not be achieved until 2063.
- Extreme Poverty: Although the proportion of women and girls living in extreme poverty has dipped below 10%, it will take an estimated 137 years to eradicate poverty for all women and girls completely.
- Child Marriage: Approximately one in four girls are still married before they turn 18, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combating harmful practices that affect young women.
- Violence Against Women: The report underscores that pervasive violence against women continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality globally.
Urgent Call for Action
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous stated, “Today’s report reveals the undeniable truth: progress is achievable, but is not fast enough.” She called for a renewed commitment to dismantle barriers that hinder women’s advancement and emphasised the need for immediate global action to close critical gender gaps.
The report also points out the staggering economic cost of failing to invest in women’s rights. For instance, countries that do not adequately educate their young populations face an annual cost exceeding $10 trillion, while low- and middle-income countries risk losing another $500 billion over the next five years if they do not close the digital gender gap.
Recommendations for Progress
The Gender Snapshot 2024 outlines several recommendations aimed at accelerating progress towards gender equality:
1. Legal Reforms: Countries should implement and enforce laws that prohibit discrimination and protect women’s rights.
2. Investment in Education: Increased funding for education, particularly for girls, is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty.
3. Addressing Social Norms: Efforts must be made to challenge and change social norms that perpetuate discrimination against women.
4. Data Collection: Improving data collection on gender issues is essential to inform policies and ensure that women’s experiences are not overlooked in decision-making processes.
The call to action is clear: immediate steps must be taken to address existing gaps and ensure that all women and girls can enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
By Joseph Johnston
Youth Editor,
Egogonews Hub
