State-Level Gender Equality Assessment and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent study provides a comparative analysis of gender equality across the 50 U.S. states, offering critical insights into national progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). The report, released by WalletHub on Women’s Equality Day, evaluates states based on their success in creating an equitable environment for women, a core tenet of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Methodological Framework and SDG Indicators

The study’s methodology incorporates 17 distinct factors, which serve as key performance indicators for several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals. These factors are grouped into three primary dimensions:

• Workplace Environment: This category directly assesses progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), particularly Target 8.5, which calls for equal pay for work of equal value. Metrics include income disparity and female entrepreneurship rates.
• Education & Health: These indicators align with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The analysis measures gender-based disparities in educational attainment, a critical component of eliminating inequality.
• Political Empowerment: This dimension measures progress towards SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). It evaluates women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership (Target 5.5) by examining the share of women in elected positions.

Oklahoma’s Performance on Gender Equality Metrics

According to the report, Oklahoma ranks 45th out of 50 states, indicating significant challenges in achieving the targets of SDG 5 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The state received an overall score of 46.97 out of a possible 100 points.

Analysis by Key SDG-Related Dimensions

Oklahoma’s low overall ranking is a result of poor performance in two of the three main categories evaluated:

• Workplace Environment (Rank 29): The state demonstrates moderate performance in areas related to SDG 8.
• Education & Health (Rank 43): This ranking suggests substantial gaps exist in achieving equitable outcomes for women as outlined in SDG 3 and SDG 4.
• Political Empowerment (Rank 41): The state faces considerable barriers to women’s full participation in public and political life, hindering progress on SDG 5 and SDG 16.

National Benchmarks for Achieving SDG 5

The study highlights a wide variance in performance across the nation, providing benchmarks for states to measure their progress against.

Top-Performing States in Gender Equality

Hawaii was ranked as the leading state for gender equality. Its successes exemplify the achievement of key SDG targets, including no gender pay gap for minimum-wage workers (SDG 8.5) and equal gender representation in its federal congressional delegation (SDG 5.5). The top ten states are:

1. Hawaii
2. Nevada
3. Maryland
4. Maine
5. Oregon
6. New Mexico
7. California
8. Iowa
9. Alaska
10. Vermont

States Requiring Accelerated Action on Gender Equality

The states at the bottom of the rankings face the most significant hurdles in meeting national and global gender equality commitments. These states require targeted policy interventions to address systemic disparities.

1. Utah (#50)
2. Texas (#49)
3. Idaho (#48)
4. Arkansas (#47)
5. Louisiana (#46)
6. Oklahoma (#45)
7. Wyoming (#44)
8. New Jersey (#43)
9. Virginia (#42)
10. Ohio (#41)

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article discusses a study on gender equality across U.S. states, which directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire study is about ranking states on “gender equality and equity.” The article explicitly mentions Women’s Equality Day and the goal of achieving equal treatment for women, which is the core mission of SDG 5.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights factors related to the “workplace environment,” such as “income disparity” and “entrepreneurship rate.” These economic factors are key components of SDG 8, which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The study considers “educational attainment” as a key factor in its ranking. The article mentions that in Hawaii, “students are equally prepared for the future.” This directly relates to SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

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

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

• Target 5.5 (under SDG 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.

  The article directly supports this target by mentioning that the study considered the “share of representation in elected positions” as a key factor in political empowerment. It also notes that Hawaii’s successes include “equal gender representation” in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

• Target 8.5 (under SDG 8): By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.

  This target is addressed through the article’s focus on the “workplace environment.” The mention of “income disparity” and Hawaii’s success in having “no gender pay gap in minimum-wage workers” directly relates to the goal of equal pay for work of equal value.

• Target 4.5 (under SDG 4): By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training…

  The article connects to this target by identifying “educational attainment” as one of the 17 factors used in the study. The mention of Oklahoma’s low ranking in “Education & Health” highlights the existence of disparities that this target aims to eliminate.

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 metrics used in the WalletHub study that serve as indicators for measuring progress towards the identified SDG targets:

• Indicator for Target 5.5: The “share of representation in elected positions” is explicitly mentioned as a metric for political empowerment. This is a direct measure of women’s participation in political decision-making, aligning with Indicator 5.5.1 (Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments).
• Indicators for Target 8.5:
  • The article refers to “income disparity” and the “gender pay gap,” which are direct indicators used to measure progress towards equal pay for work of equal value, aligning with Indicator 8.5.1 (Average hourly earnings of female and male employees).
  • The “entrepreneurship rate” is also mentioned as a factor, serving as an indicator of women’s economic participation and opportunity.
• Indicator for Target 4.5: The metric of “educational attainment” is mentioned as a key factor. This serves as a direct indicator for measuring gender disparities in education, aligning with Indicator 4.5.1 (Parity indices for all education indicators).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oklahoman.com