Gender-Balanced Politics: Women in Power Reduce Poverty – The Borgen Project

The Role of Gender-Balanced Politics in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This report analyzes the correlation between increased female participation in politics and the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gender-balanced governance is a critical driver for achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and acts as a catalyst for progress across multiple other goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Global Status of Women’s Political Representation and its Socio-Economic Impact

Current Representation Levels and Progress Towards SDG 5

• Globally, women hold only 27.2% of parliamentary seats, indicating a significant gap in achieving Target 5.5 of the SDGs.
• This figure represents a notable increase from 11.3% in 1995, though progress remains uneven across regions.
• Rwanda leads globally, with women holding approximately 63.8% of parliamentary seats.
• The Americas region averages 34.5% female representation in parliament, surpassing the global mean.

Correlation with Economic and Social Development

Research indicates a direct link between female political leadership and national development outcomes, supporting SDG 1 and SDG 8.

1. A 10-percentage-point increase in women’s political representation is associated with a 0.74-point rise in GDP growth.
2. Nations with greater female representation in parliament tend to allocate more resources to public services, directly contributing to:
   • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Increased investment in universal and early education.
   • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Strengthened healthcare systems and maternal health services.
   • SDG 1 (No Poverty): Enhanced social protection and family welfare policies that reduce poverty, particularly for female-headed households.

Case Studies: National Progress Towards SDGs through Gender Parity

Rwanda: A Model for Institutional Strength (SDG 16) and Poverty Reduction (SDG 1)

Following the 1994 genocide, Rwanda’s constitutional reforms ensured a central role for women in rebuilding national institutions, aligning with SDG 16.

• The high representation of women in parliament led to the prioritization of laws focused on improving daily life for families.
• This focus resulted in a significant decline in the national poverty rate by almost 18 percentage points between 2001 and 2014.
• The nation has also made substantial progress in expanding access to education (SDG 4) and strengthening healthcare (SDG 3).

Nepal and Finland: Local and National Policy Impact

• Nepal: The inclusion of thousands of women in local councils has empowered them to shape budgets and school programs, advancing SDG 4 and SDG 5 at the community level.
• Finland: A long history of female political leadership has established policies for affordable childcare and universal education, creating a strong social foundation that supports multiple SDGs.

Strategic Pathways to Enhance Female Political Participation

Implemented Mechanisms and Their Efficacy

Several strategies have proven effective in increasing women’s political representation and accelerating progress on SDG 5.

1. Legislative Quotas: Countries with gender quotas average 31.2% women in parliament, compared to 16.8% in countries without them.
2. Mentorship and Training: Programs that equip women with skills and access to campaign networks are crucial for overcoming barriers to entry.
3. Civic Education: Public awareness campaigns help shift cultural norms and promote gender equality in leadership roles.

Policy Impact of Inclusive Governance

When women share power, policy priorities shift to be more inclusive and development-oriented.

• Governments with higher female representation are more likely to pass laws that expand women’s economic rights, boosting labor participation and contributing to SDG 8.
• Inclusive governance strengthens accountability and ensures that resources are allocated more equitably, which is fundamental to achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Sustainable Development

Achieving gender-balanced politics is not merely an objective of SDG 5 but a proven strategy for building fairer, more prosperous societies. The evidence from countries like Rwanda and Nepal demonstrates that including women in decision-making accelerates progress towards lower poverty rates, better health and education outcomes, and stronger, more inclusive institutions. As more nations adopt strategies to ensure gender parity in governance, it can become a standard for effective poverty reduction and sustainable development worldwide.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article’s central theme is “gender-balanced politics,” directly aligning with the goal of achieving gender equality. It discusses the importance of women’s participation in parliament and decision-making processes, highlighting how their inclusion leads to more equitable policies.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article repeatedly links increased female political representation to poverty reduction. It cites Rwanda’s experience, where a rise in women parliamentarians coincided with a significant decline in the poverty rate, especially among female-headed households.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article focuses on making governmental institutions more inclusive and representative. By discussing the proportion of seats held by women in parliament and local councils, it directly addresses the need for responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making at all levels.

4. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The text states that countries with more women in parliament tend to invest more in education. It mentions Finland’s policies for universal education and Nepal’s local councils shaping school programs as examples of how female leadership prioritizes educational access.

5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The analysis points out that gender-balanced politics leads to strengthened health care systems. It notes that governments with higher female representation invest more in health care and maternal health, contributing to better health outcomes for the population.

6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article establishes a connection between women’s political leadership and economic benefits. It references a study finding that a 10-percentage-point increase in women’s representation is linked to a 0.74-point rise in GDP growth, and notes that women leaders tend to pass laws that expand women’s economic rights and boost labor participation.

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

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

   • This target is the core focus of the article. The entire discussion revolves around the proportion of parliamentary seats held by women globally (27.2%), in Rwanda (almost two-thirds), and in the Americas (34.5%), as well as the presence of women on local councils in Nepal.

2. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

   • The article directly connects women’s political participation to poverty reduction, stating that in Rwanda, “the poverty rate declined by almost 18 percentage points” between 2001 and 2014, and that gender-balanced politics is a “proven strategy for poverty reduction.”

3. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   • The article argues that “Inclusive governance also strengthens accountability” and that governments reflecting their populations’ diversity allocate resources more equitably. The examples of women serving in the Rwandan parliament and on Nepalese local councils directly relate to making decision-making more representative.

4. Target 4.1 & 4.2: Ensure all children complete free, equitable and quality education and have access to quality early childhood development.

   • The article implies these targets by stating that when women share power, “Investments in early education…rise” and that countries with more women in parliament, like Finland, have led policies that make “education universal.”

5. Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances.

   • This target is supported by the article’s reference to a study that “found that a 10-percentage-point increase in women’s representation is linked to a 0.74-point rise in GDP growth.”

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

1. Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments.

   • The article provides explicit data for this indicator. It states that women hold “almost two-thirds of the seats” in Rwanda’s parliament (later specified as 63.8%), “just 27.2%” of parliamentary seats globally, and an average of “34.5% women MPs” in the Americas. It also mentions “thousands of women now serve on local councils” in Nepal.

2. Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line.

   • This indicator is directly implied by the statement that in Rwanda, “the poverty rate declined by almost 18 percentage points” between 2001 and 2014, demonstrating a measurable reduction in poverty.

3. Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita.

   • The article implies this indicator by citing a study linking a “10-percentage-point increase in women’s representation” to a “0.74-point rise in GDP growth,” which is a measure of economic growth.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org