Report on Gender Equality in Oklahoma and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A 2025 analysis of women’s equality in the United States reveals significant challenges for the state of Oklahoma in meeting key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The state’s overall ranking has declined from 44th in 2024 to 45th in 2025, indicating a regression in achieving gender parity across political and economic spheres.

Political Participation and Leadership (SDG 5, SDG 16)

The state’s performance in political representation is a primary area of concern, directly impacting progress on SDG 5, Target 5.5 (ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership) and SDG 16, Target 16.7 (ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making).

Key Findings on Political Representation

• Oklahoma ranks 41st nationally for its political representation gap between men and women.
• Women constitute only 22% of the Oklahoma Legislature, a figure significantly below parity.
• Only two of the seven elected statewide executive offices are currently held by women.

This underrepresentation in political institutions suggests that decision-making processes may not be fully inclusive or reflective of the state’s population. Organizations such as Sally’s List are working to address this deficit by recruiting and training women to run for public office, an effort crucial to advancing SDG 5.

Economic Disparities and Decent Work (SDG 8, SDG 1, SDG 10)

Significant economic gaps persist, undermining progress toward SDG 8, Target 8.5 (achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, and equal pay for work of equal value), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Analysis of Economic Gaps

1. Job Security Disparity: Oklahoma ranks 47th, indicating substantial inequality in employment stability between genders.
2. Poverty Rate Disparity: The state ranks 40th, highlighting a disproportionate rate of poverty affecting women.
3. Unemployment Rate Disparity: Ranked 38th, the state exhibits a 20% unemployment rate gap, with women more likely to be unemployed.
4. Income Gap: Men in Oklahoma are 10.8% more likely than women to achieve annual earnings of $100,000 or more.

Progress and Persistent Challenges

Despite the widespread challenges, the report identifies specific areas where Oklahoma demonstrates relative progress in economic equality.

• The state ranks 15th in the nation for its minimal gap in executive positions.
• Oklahoma ranks 19th for its narrow gap among minimum-wage workers.

However, these positive indicators are overshadowed by the profound disparities in job security, unemployment, and poverty, which directly impede women’s ability to achieve economic independence and security, thus hindering the state’s overall progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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 the inequality faced by women in Oklahoma. It directly addresses gender disparities in political representation and economic opportunities, which are core components of SDG 5. The text highlights Oklahoma’s low ranking (45th) for women’s equality and discusses the underrepresentation of women in the state legislature and executive positions.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article discusses significant economic disparities between men and women, which relates to the goal of achieving decent work for all. It specifically points out “Gaps remain in income, job security and unemployment” and mentions the “unemployment rate gap (20%) between Oklahoma men and women,” directly connecting to the principles of fair and productive employment for all genders.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on the specific inequalities experienced by women within Oklahoma. The report’s ranking of the state (45th) compared to others highlights inequality within a country. The discussion of disparities in political power, income, and employment between men and women is a clear example of the social and economic inequalities that SDG 10 aims to reduce.

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 directly relevant to the article’s concern about the political representation gap. The text states, “Women make up about 22% of the Oklahoma Legislature. Two of the seven elected statewide offices currently are held by women.” This data points to a lack of full and effective participation of women in political leadership. The article also notes Oklahoma is “15th in the executive positions gap,” further highlighting the relevance of this target.

2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.

   • The article’s economic analysis aligns with this target. It identifies a significant “unemployment rate gap (20%) between Oklahoma men and women” and a low ranking for “job security disparity” (47th). Furthermore, it points to an income gap, noting that “Oklahoma men are 10.8% more likely than women to achieve median annual earnings of $100,000 or more,” which speaks to the “equal pay for work of equal value” component of the target.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… sex…

   • The entire article serves as an analysis of the lack of social, economic, and political inclusion for women in Oklahoma. The state’s overall ranking of 45th for women’s equality is a measure of this exclusion. The article’s callout that “women are not running for political office in even comparable numbers to men” underscores the challenge of achieving full political inclusion for women, which is a key aim of this target.

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

1. Proportion of seats held by women in the state legislature.

   • The article provides a precise figure: “Women make up about 22% of the Oklahoma Legislature.” This is a direct indicator for measuring progress towards Target 5.5 on political participation.

2. Proportion of women in high-level elected office.

   • The text states that “Two of the seven elected statewide offices currently are held by women.” This serves as another clear indicator for Target 5.5, measuring women’s representation in executive branch positions.

3. Disparity in unemployment rates between men and women.

   • The article explicitly mentions the “unemployment rate gap (20%) between Oklahoma men and women” and the state’s rank of “38th for unemployment rate disparity.” This is a key indicator for measuring progress on Target 8.5 regarding full and productive employment.

4. Gender gap in high-income earnings.

   • The statistic that “Oklahoma men are 10.8% more likely than women to achieve median annual earnings of $100,000 or more” is an indicator of the gender pay gap, relevant to Target 8.5’s goal of equal pay for work of equal value.

5. Disparity in job security.

   • The article mentions that Oklahoma ranks “47th for job security disparity.” While not providing a raw number, this ranking implies a measurable indicator is being used to track differences in job security between genders, which is relevant to Target 8.5.

4. Summary of Findings

Source: journalrecord.com