Report on the State of Global Gender Equality and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

On the 15th anniversary of UN Women, an assessment of global gender equality reveals a dual narrative of significant progress coupled with a recent and alarming regression. This trend jeopardizes the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5): Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. A March 2025 survey indicates a 60 per cent increase in public concern regarding the lack of progress. Data confirms this sentiment, showing a widespread backlash against women’s rights, rising gender-based violence, a widening digital divide, and an increasing number of women and girls living in conflict zones. These challenges directly threaten hard-won gains and require urgent, targeted action aligned with the SDGs.

Key Challenges to Achieving SDG 5

Analysis of data from over 150 government reports highlights several critical obstacles impeding progress towards global gender equality targets:

• Regression in Women’s Rights: In 2024, nearly one in four countries reported a backlash against women’s rights, undermining the legal and social frameworks necessary for SDG 5 and weakening the rule of law as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• Increased Gender-Based Violence: Rising rates of violence against women and girls represent a direct failure to meet SDG Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls).
• Widening Digital Divide: The growing gap in digital access and literacy between genders hinders women’s empowerment and economic inclusion, working against SDG Target 5.b (Enhance the use of enabling technology to promote the empowerment of women).
• Impact of Conflict: As of 2023, over 612 million women and girls reside in proximity to conflict zones. This situation severely impacts their safety, rights, and access to essential services, creating a critical intersection between the failure to achieve SDG 5 and SDG 16.

Recommended Actions to Accelerate Progress on Sustainable Development Goals

To counteract the current negative trends and reaffirm commitment to the 2030 Agenda, the following strategic actions are proposed:

1. Address the Backlash Against Women’s Rights

   • Assessment: Data from 2024 indicates a significant regression, with nearly 25% of countries reporting a backlash against women’s rights.
   • Recommended SDG-Aligned Solution: Strengthen political will and reinforce legal, political, and financial systems to actively advance gender equality. This action is fundamental to achieving SDG 5 and upholding the principles of SDG 16 by ensuring institutions are just and responsive.

2. End Conflict and Protect Women and Girls

   • Assessment: In 2023, the number of women and girls living near conflict zones reached 612 million, a figure over 50 per cent higher than a decade prior.
   • Recommended SDG-Aligned Solution: Increase investment in conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding efforts. This is a core objective of SDG 16 and is essential for creating the secure environment required to advance all aspects of SDG 5.

3. Promote Women in Peacemaking Processes

   • Assessment: Between 2020 and 2023, women were absent from 80% of peace talks and 70% of mediation efforts, despite evidence that their participation leads to more durable peace.
   • Recommended SDG-Aligned Solution: Mandate the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all peace and security processes. This directly addresses SDG Target 5.5 (Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership) and SDG Target 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article highlights issues directly related to two Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The core theme of the article is the state of gender equality. It explicitly mentions the “push for equality is losing ground,” a “backlash against women’s rights,” rising “gender-based violence,” and the need to “push forward on gender equality.” The entire text is framed around the work of UN Women and its mission, which is central to SDG 5.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article heavily emphasizes the intersection of gender and conflict. It points out that “over 600 million women and girls now live near conflict zones” and calls to “End Conflict.” Furthermore, it discusses the role of women in peacemaking, noting that “Peace lasts longer when women are at the table,” and calls for their “full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace processes.” This directly connects to building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Targets under SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

  1. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The article addresses this by highlighting the “backlash against women’s rights” and calling for “legal, political, and financial systems” to be used to advance, not hinder, gender equality, which is the foundation of ending discrimination.
  2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls. This is directly addressed by the statement that “Gender-based violence is rising.”
  3. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life. The article points to a failure in meeting this target by stating that “between 2020 and 2023, 8 in 10 peace talks and 7 in 10 mediation efforts had no women involved.” The call for “full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace processes” is a direct appeal to achieve this target.

• Targets under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

  1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The call to “End Conflict” and the fact that “612 million women and girls lived within 50 kilometers of a conflict zone” directly relate to the urgency of reducing violence.
  2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The article’s focus on the exclusion of women from peace processes (“women remain shut out of peace processes”) and the call for their participation directly aligns with the need for inclusive decision-making.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicators for SDG 5 Targets

  1. For Target 5.1: An implied indicator is the existence and implementation of legal frameworks that promote gender equality. The article provides a negative measure for this with the fact that “nearly one in four countries reported a backlash against women’s rights,” which suggests a regression in these legal and political frameworks.
  2. For Target 5.2: An indicator is the prevalence of gender-based violence. The article uses a qualitative measure by stating that “Gender-based violence is rising.”
  3. For Target 5.5: A specific indicator is the proportion of women in leadership and decision-making roles, particularly in peace processes. The article provides precise data for this: “8 in 10 peace talks and 7 in 10 mediation efforts had no women involved.”

• Indicators for SDG 16 Targets

  1. For Target 16.1: An indicator is the number of people living in proximity to conflict. The article provides a specific figure: “In 2023, approximately 612 million women and girls lived within 50 kilometers of a conflict zone.” This serves as a proxy for exposure to conflict-related violence.
  2. For Target 16.7: An indicator is the proportion of positions held by women in public institutions and decision-making bodies. The statistic on the lack of women in peace talks and mediation efforts serves as a direct measure of non-inclusive decision-making in this specific context.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: un.org