Report on Gender Equality and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda

Current Status of SDG 5: Gender Equality

An assessment based on the Gender Snapshot 2025 report indicates a significant global deficit in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality). With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, current trajectories show that the world is set to miss every indicator under this goal. Projections suggest that if present trends persist, 351 million women and girls will continue to live in extreme poverty by 2030, a direct contradiction to the aims of SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Economic and Social Implications of Gender Equality on SDGs

Targeted investments in gender equality are identified as a powerful catalyst for societal and economic transformation, directly impacting multiple SDGs. The potential gains from prioritizing gender equality are substantial:

• Digital Inclusion: Closing the gender digital divide could benefit 343.5 million women and girls, contribute to lifting 30 million people out of poverty by 2050 (SDG 1), and generate an estimated USD 1.5 trillion boost to global GDP by 2030 (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Poverty Eradication: Accelerated interventions focused on care, education, the green economy, and social protection could reduce the number of women and girls in extreme poverty by 110 million by 2050.
• Economic Growth: Such accelerated actions are projected to unlock an estimated USD 342 trillion in cumulative economic returns, fostering widespread economic prosperity.

Key Challenges and Threats to SDG Attainment

Progress towards gender equality is being undermined by several critical challenges, which threaten to reverse hard-won gains and impede the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

• Regressive Trends: An unprecedented backlash on women’s rights, shrinking civic space, and the defunding of gender equality initiatives are creating significant obstacles.
• Conflict and Security (SDG 16): Conflict is becoming increasingly deadly for women and girls. An estimated 676 million women and girls now live in proximity to deadly conflict, the highest number recorded since the 1990s.
• Food Insecurity (SDG 2): Gender disparities in food security are widening. In 2024, 64 million more adult females were moderately or severely food insecure compared to adult males.

Recommendations and Path Forward: The Beijing+30 Action Agenda

Despite the retreating progress, data confirms that with sufficient investment and political will, these negative trends can be reversed. The upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action provides a critical opportunity for renewed commitment. The Beijing+30 Action Agenda outlines a clear path forward, centered on six priority areas for accelerated implementation to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

1. Freedom from poverty (SDG 1)
2. Zero violence against women and girls
3. Equal power and leadership
4. Climate justice (SDG 13)
5. Peace and security (SDG 16)
6. Full participation in the digital revolution

A cross-cutting priority is the amplification of the voices of young women and girls. Leaders are urged to make firm commitments and investments towards this agenda to ensure that the rights of women are realized at scale, yielding returns that benefit all of society.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the intersection of gender equality with poverty, hunger, economic growth, and peace. The following SDGs are directly connected to the issues discussed:

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article explicitly discusses the link between gender equality and poverty reduction. It highlights the projection that “351 million women and girls still living in extreme poverty” by 2030 if trends continue, and the potential for targeted investments to “lift 30 million out of poverty by 2050” and “reduce the number of women and girls in extreme poverty by 110 million by 2050.”

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article touches upon food security through a gendered lens, stating that “Sixty-four million more female adults were moderately or severely food insecure than male adults in 2024,” directly connecting gender inequality to disparities in access to food.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the central theme of the article. It is explicitly mentioned that “the world is currently on the trajectory to miss every single indicator under SDG5, the gender equality goal.” The entire text revolves around the importance of prioritizing gender equality, the backlash against women’s rights, and the need for investment to achieve its targets.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The economic benefits of gender equality are a key argument in the article. It quantifies the potential economic impact, suggesting that closing the gender digital divide could “generate an estimated USD1.5 trillion boost to global GDP by 2030” and that broader interventions could unlock “an estimated USD 342 trillion in cumulative economic returns.”

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article links gender equality to peace and security. It points out that “Conflict is getting deadlier for women and girls” and that “676 million women and girls live within reach of deadly conflict.” The Beijing+30 Action Agenda also lists “peace and security” and “zero violence” as priority areas, connecting directly to the goals of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific issues and solutions discussed, the following SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.

   The article directly addresses this target by providing data on the number of women and girls living in extreme poverty (“351 million”) and outlining how investments could significantly reduce this number.

2. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   The statistic that “Sixty-four million more female adults were moderately or severely food insecure than male adults” points directly to the gender dimension of this target, highlighting the need to ensure equal access to food.

3. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

   This is identified through the Beijing+30 Action Agenda’s priority of “zero violence,” which is a core component of this target.

4. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.

   The article references the priority of “equal power and leadership” in the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, which aligns directly with this target.

5. Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.

   The article heavily emphasizes this target by discussing the “gender digital divide” and stating that closing it could “benefit 343.5 million women and girls worldwide.”

6. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The mention of conflict getting “deadlier for women and girls” and the high number of women living near conflict zones directly relates to the goal of reducing violence and ensuring peace and security.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several specific data points and concepts that serve as or imply official SDG indicators:

• Indicator related to SDG 1.1.1 (Proportion of population below the international poverty line, by sex): The article provides a direct measure for this indicator by stating that “351 million women and girls” are projected to be living in extreme poverty. Progress would be measured by the reduction of this number.
• Indicator related to SDG 2.1.2 (Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), by sex): The article provides a comparative statistic for this indicator: “Sixty-four million more female adults were moderately or severely food insecure than male adults in 2024.” This data point directly measures the gender gap in food security.
• Indicator related to SDG 5.b.1 (Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex): While not stating the exact indicator, the concept of the “gender digital divide” is a central theme. The potential to “benefit 343.5 million women and girls” by closing this divide implies the use of metrics that measure women’s access to and use of digital technology.
• Indicator related to SDG 8.1.1 (Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita): The article implies this indicator by projecting the economic impact of gender equality initiatives, such as the “USD1.5 trillion boost to global GDP by 2030.” This provides a quantifiable economic metric for progress.
• Indicator related to SDG 16.1.2 (Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause): The article provides a proxy indicator for exposure to conflict by stating that “676 million women and girls live within reach of deadly conflict.” This metric helps quantify the population of women and girls at risk, which is directly related to measuring peace and security.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: unwomen.org