Report on the Extradition and Federal Charges Against Zobaidul Amin

Introduction

Zobaidul Amin, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi national, was extradited to Alaska to face federal charges related to child sexual exploitation. His case highlights critical issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by addressing the protection of children and the fight against exploitation.

Background and Charges

1. Allegations: Amin is accused of operating an international child sexual exploitation enterprise. Prosecutors allege he used social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to entice hundreds of minors into creating sexually explicit content.
2. Indictment: In July 2022, a grand jury indicted Amin on multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute and receive child sexual abuse materials, cyberstalking, aggravated identity theft, and fraud.
3. Victims: Court documents reveal that a 14-year-old girl from Alaska reported her interactions with Amin in December 2021, which initiated the investigation leading to the uncovering of a broader network of victims.

Investigation and Law Enforcement Actions

• Law enforcement executed dozens of search warrants and subpoenas to connect Amin to hundreds of victims.
• Amin allegedly threatened victims with exposure to their families and friends to coerce additional explicit content.
• He reportedly forced some minors to introduce him to other potential victims, expanding the exploitation network.

International Cooperation and Arrest

In September 2022, Malaysian police arrested Amin in Kuala Lumpur. He faced 13 charges related to possession and production of child sexual abuse materials under Malaysian law. Following his arrest, Amin was extradited to Alaska and taken into custody by the FBI on Wednesday.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Sentencing

• Amin has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges.
• If convicted, he faces a prison sentence ranging from 20 years to life.
• Prosecutors have requested his detention pending trial due to the severity of the charges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: This case underscores the importance of robust legal frameworks and international cooperation in combating child exploitation and ensuring justice for victims.
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Protecting children, especially girls, from sexual exploitation contributes to achieving gender equality and empowering vulnerable populations.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between Malaysian and U.S. authorities exemplifies the global partnerships necessary to address transnational crimes effectively.

Conclusion

The extradition and prosecution of Zobaidul Amin represent a significant step toward dismantling international networks of child sexual exploitation. The case highlights the critical role of law enforcement, judicial systems, and international cooperation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals related to justice, equality, and partnerships.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses criminal justice actions against child sexual exploitation, highlighting the role of law enforcement and judicial systems.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The exploitation of minors, particularly girls, relates to gender-based violence and the protection of girls’ rights.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Child sexual exploitation severely impacts the mental and physical health of victims.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The misuse of social media platforms (Snapchat, Instagram) for exploitation points to challenges in digital safety and cybersecurity.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation (implied by the number of minors exploited and prosecuted cases).
   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms (implied by the Alaska girl reporting to police).
2. SDG 5 Indicators
   • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by a partner in the previous 12 months (related to sexual exploitation data).
3. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate (related to mental health impacts of exploitation, implied).
4. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology (implied by the use of social media platforms).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: alaskapublic.org

Report on the Arrest of Willis E. Arthur for Possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Material

Incident Overview

On March 12, 2026, the State Police of Wilton, supported by the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, arrested Willis E. Arthur, 33, of Fort Edward, NY. Arthur was charged with Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, classified as a class “E” felony.

Investigation Details

1. On March 15, 2025, the State Police received information regarding possible inappropriate contact between a child and an adult.
2. The investigation revealed that Willis E. Arthur was allegedly in possession of an image consistent with child sexual exploitation.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

• Arthur was arrested at his residence and transported to the State Police Wilton barracks for processing.
• He was arraigned at the Moreau Town Court.
• Following arraignment, Arthur was released under the supervision of the Saratoga County Probation Department.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case highlights the critical importance of advancing several Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The arrest and prosecution demonstrate the commitment to promoting justice and protecting children from exploitation through effective law enforcement and judicial processes.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Protecting children, particularly vulnerable girls, from sexual exploitation supports the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Preventing child sexual exploitation contributes to the physical and psychological well-being of children, ensuring safe and supportive environments.

Continued efforts in law enforcement, community awareness, and victim support are essential to uphold these goals and safeguard the rights and dignity of children.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses law enforcement actions against child sexual exploitation, which relates to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice, and building effective institutions.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Although not explicitly mentioned, the issue of child sexual exploitation often disproportionately affects girls and women, linking to the goal of eliminating violence against women and girls.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Protecting children from sexual exploitation contributes to their physical and mental health and well-being.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified in the Article

1. SDG 16 Targets
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
2. SDG 5 Targets
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
3. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being, which includes protection from abuse and exploitation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 16.2:
   • Number of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse reported, investigated, and prosecuted (implied by the arrest and investigation described).
2. Indicator for Target 16.3:
   • Proportion of victims who have access to justice and legal remedies (implied by the arraignment and supervision of the accused).
3. Indicator for Target 5.2:
   • Prevalence of violence against children, especially sexual exploitation cases reported and addressed.
4. Indicator for Target 3.4:
   • Prevalence of mental health issues related to abuse and exploitation (implied but not directly mentioned).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: troopers.ny.gov

Report on Arrest Related to Child Sexual Abuse Material in Guilford County

Overview of Incident and Arrest

On Thursday, Corey Allen Jordan, a 39-year-old resident of Brown Summit, North Carolina, was arrested following an investigation by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest is connected to multiple charges involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), underscoring efforts to combat exploitation and protect vulnerable populations in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Investigation Details

1. Initiation: Detectives from the Major Crimes Investigative Unit commenced the investigation on September 8, 2025, after receiving two separate cyber tips concerning CSAM.
2. Identification: Corey Allen Jordan was identified as a suspect during the child exploitation investigation launched the previous year.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

• Charges: Jordan faces four counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and six counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
• Custody Status: He is currently held without bond at the Guilford County Detention Center.
• Court Appearance: Jordan’s first court hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 13.

Additional Information and Community Involvement

• Registry Status: Jordan is listed as an active member of the Guilford County Sex Offender Registry.
• Public Assistance: Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the case to contact Detective S. Miller at 336-641-3451 or Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This case highlights the critical importance of SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions. The proactive investigation and community engagement demonstrate commitment to protecting children from exploitation and abuse, contributing to the achievement of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by safeguarding mental and physical health of minors, and SDG 5: Gender Equality by addressing violence against children.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses law enforcement actions against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which relates to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice, and building effective institutions.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Addressing child sexual exploitation contributes to protecting the rights and safety of girls and boys, supporting gender equality and empowerment of all children.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Preventing child sexual abuse is critical to ensuring the health and well-being of children.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 16 Targets
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
2. SDG 5 Targets
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
3. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being, which includes addressing trauma from abuse.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking, by sex, age and form of exploitation.
   • The article refers to arrests and charges related to child sexual abuse material, implying tracking of victims and offenders.
2. Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
   • The article mentions cyber tips received by authorities and ongoing investigations, indicating reporting and response mechanisms.
3. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
   • While the article focuses on child sexual abuse, this indicator is related to measuring sexual violence prevalence.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: wfmynews2.com

Report on Arrest Related to Child Sexual Abuse Material in Guilford County

Incident Overview

On September 8, 2025, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into child sexual abuse material following receipt of two separate cyber tips. The investigation focused on identifying individuals involved in the exploitation of minors, aligning with the commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which emphasizes the promotion of just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.

Suspect Identification and Charges

1. Detectives identified 39-year-old Corey Allen Jordan from Brown Summit as the suspect.
2. Jordan was arrested and charged with:
   • Four counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
   • Six counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
3. He is currently held at the Guilford County Detention Center without bond, pending his first court appearance.

Legal and Community Implications

• Jordan is an active member of the Guilford County Sex Offender Registry, highlighting ongoing monitoring efforts.
• The arrest underscores the importance of safeguarding children from exploitation, directly supporting SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by protecting vulnerable populations from abuse and trauma.
• Law enforcement’s proactive response demonstrates the role of strong institutions in upholding child rights and safety.

Conclusion

This case exemplifies the critical role of coordinated law enforcement and community vigilance in combating child exploitation. It reinforces the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring safe environments for children and fostering justice and protection within communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses law enforcement actions against child sexual abuse material, highlighting justice and protection of vulnerable groups.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Addressing child sexual exploitation contributes to ending violence against children, particularly girls, which is part of gender equality efforts.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Protecting children from sexual abuse supports their mental and physical health and well-being.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 16
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
2. SDG 5
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
3. SDG 3
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being, which is impacted by protection from abuse.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator 16.2.1: Proportion of children aged 1–17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month (implied through focus on child abuse cases).
2. Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18 (implied by addressing sexual exploitation of minors).
3. Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms (implied by the arrest and investigation process).
4. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months (related contextually to sexual violence indicators).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: abc45.com

Report on the Arrest in Queens Homicide Case

Incident Overview

On January 30, a 59-year-old man, Felipe Gonzalez-Gonzalez, was found dead and battered inside his apartment at the Barbara Faron Residence, located at 20-50 Nameoke Ave. in Far Rockaway, Queens. The discovery was made after neighbors and a janitor noticed a strong odor emanating from the victim’s apartment hallway.

Suspect and Charges

Odeylin Gonzalez, aged 33 and residing a few blocks away from the victim, was arrested on February 25. She faces charges of murder and criminal obstruction of breathing. The suspect is not believed to be related to the victim. Currently, she is held without bail and is scheduled to appear next in Queens Criminal Court on April 28.

Context and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis

This case highlights critical social issues relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The violent death underscores the need for enhanced community health and safety measures to prevent such tragedies and promote mental and physical well-being.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The incident emphasizes the importance of safe, inclusive, and resilient urban environments, where residents are protected from violence and can live without fear.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The prompt law enforcement response and judicial proceedings reflect efforts to promote peaceful societies, provide access to justice, and build effective institutions.

Key Points

• Victim: Felipe Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 59 years old, found deceased with injuries.
• Suspect: Odeylin Gonzalez, 33 years old, charged with murder and obstruction of breathing.
• Location: Barbara Faron Residence, Far Rockaway, Queens.
• Discovery: Prompted by neighbors and janitor noticing a foul smell.
• Legal Status: Suspect held without bail, next court appearance on April 28.
• Community Impact: Highlights the need for improved safety and justice mechanisms in urban settings.

Conclusion

The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring safe living conditions and justice within communities. It underscores the vital role of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to foster environments where all individuals can live securely and with dignity.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses a murder case, highlighting issues related to crime, justice, and law enforcement.
   • It involves police investigation, arrest, and judicial proceedings, which are core elements of SDG 16.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The incident occurred in a residential building in Queens, touching on urban safety and community well-being.
   • Issues of neighborhood safety and security are relevant to SDG 11.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for vulnerable groups.
   • Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. For SDG 16
   • Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age.
   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
   • The article implies the use of police records and court proceedings as data sources to measure progress.
2. For SDG 11
   • Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing.
   • Indicator 11.7.2: Proportion of persons who feel safe walking alone around the area they live.
   • The article implies community safety perception and housing conditions as relevant indicators.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: nypost.com

Investigation and Arrests in Mesa County: Addressing Child Exploitation

Overview of the Operation

An extensive investigation conducted by multiple agencies in Mesa County resulted in the arrest of four individuals on charges related to soliciting sex from minors. This operation highlights critical efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which emphasizes the importance of promoting safe and inclusive societies.

Details of the Undercover Operation

1. Between February 27 and March 2, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce carried out a four-day undercover operation.
2. Law enforcement officers posed as underage minors on social media platforms to identify and apprehend suspects soliciting sexual contact.
3. The investigation covered multiple sites and applications, with cases unrelated to each other.
4. The operation culminated in the arrest of four suspects, including a teacher from the Mesa County Valley School District.

Suspects and Charges

• Max Jones, 45, Grand Junction: Charged with internet luring of a child with intent of sexual contact/exploitation, felony criminal attempt, and sexual assault on a child.
• Jose Suarez-Tavera, 42, Grand Junction: Charged with sexual assault on a child and felony criminal attempt.
• Angella Garcia, 28, Grand Junction: Charged with internet luring of a child with intent of sexual contact/exploitation, enticement of a child, felony criminal attempt, sexual assault via internet sexual exploitation of a child, and sexual assault on a child with at least a 4-year age difference.
• James Kellerby, 66, Clifton: Charged with internet luring of a child with intent of sexual contact/exploitation, enticement of a child, felony criminal attempt, sexual assault via internet sexual exploitation of a child, and sexual assault on a child with at least a 4-year age difference.

Educational Institution Response

The Mesa County Valley School District (District 51) confirmed that Jose Suarez-Tavera is a Dual Immersion Elementary teacher. The district emphasized its commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education by ensuring a safe learning environment for all students.

• The incident did not occur on school grounds or during contract hours.
• No confirmed District 51 student victims have been identified.
• Suarez-Tavera has been placed on paid administrative leave.
• The district is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies.

Support and Safety Measures

District 51 acknowledged the sensitive nature of the arrests and is providing support services to affected families and staff, reflecting the principles of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

• Support services are available to students and employees impacted by the situation.
• The district encourages anyone with information related to the case to contact non-emergency dispatch at 970-242-6707, referencing MCSO case #26-7845.
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff remains the district’s top priority.

Conclusion

This investigation and subsequent arrests underscore the ongoing commitment of law enforcement and educational institutions to protect children from exploitation and abuse. These efforts contribute directly to advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals by fostering safe communities, promoting justice, and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Focus on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, including protection from violence and exploitation.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments, free from violence and abuse.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual exploitation and abuse.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice, and building effective, accountable institutions to combat violence and exploitation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol (related to mental health and well-being in vulnerable populations).
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for vulnerable groups such as minors.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators related to SDG 3
   • Prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse cases among minors (implied through arrests and investigations).
2. Indicators related to SDG 4
   • Number of reported incidents of abuse or exploitation involving school staff (implied by the arrest of a teacher and school district response).
   • Availability and utilization of support services for students and staff affected by abuse.
3. Indicators related to SDG 5
   • Number of cases of violence against children, especially sexual exploitation (implied by law enforcement data).
4. Indicators related to SDG 16
   • Number of arrests and prosecutions related to child sexual exploitation and abuse.
   • Existence and effectiveness of multi-agency investigations and task forces (e.g., Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce).
   • Access to justice and protection services for victims.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: gjsentinel.com

Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence: A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

Content Warning and Support Resources

Content Warning: This report contains detailed descriptions of allegations of sexual abuse and other sexual misconduct against children. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, the Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Police urge victims and any persons with information regarding possible child sexual abuse or related crimes to contact the State Police Special Victims Unit’s dedicated clergy abuse hotline at 401-764-0142.

Background and Context

The history of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is a grave issue that spans generations and affects communities worldwide. Rhode Island, despite its small size, has one of the highest per capita Catholic populations in the United States, with over 39% of residents identifying as Catholic. Victims of clergy sexual abuse come from diverse communities, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic backgrounds, reflecting the broad societal impact of this trauma.

Recognizing the importance of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, this report aims to provide transparency and truth to generations of victims, their families, and communities affected by these abuses.

Accessing the Report

This webpage serves as a resource for understanding the comprehensive report, including links to download the full report, appendices, and media resources. Key topics from the report are highlighted for public awareness and education, supporting SDG 4: Quality Education.

Download the Report

Explore the Report

Investigation Overview

The investigation, initiated in July 2019, reviewed over 250,000 pages of documents from the Diocese dating back to 1950. This extensive examination supports SDG 16 by promoting accountability and justice.

Recommendations for Change

Lasting change requires collective commitment from the Catholic Church, government, and public to acknowledge past failures and implement bold corrective actions. These efforts align with SDG 16 and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals to foster strong institutions and collaborative solutions.

Victim Support and Resources

In support of SDG 3, the Office of the Attorney General and Rhode Island State Police provide resources and encourage victims or witnesses to contact the clergy abuse hotline at 401-764-0142. Additional victim resources are available to assist in healing and justice.

Credibly Accused Clergy

Appendix A summarizes 72 clergy members credibly accused of child sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Providence. This transparency supports SDG 16 by promoting justice and institutional integrity.

By the Numbers

The report presents detailed statistics and data that illustrate the scope and impact of abuse within the Diocese, reinforcing the need for continued efforts toward SDG 16 and SDG 3.

Conclusion

This report underscores the critical importance of addressing child sexual abuse through transparent investigation, victim support, and systemic reform. Emphasizing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 10, SDG 16, and SDG 17, the collective actions of institutions, government, and communities are essential to foster justice, healing, and prevention of future abuses.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article addresses the mental and physical well-being of children affected by sexual abuse.
   • Focus on trauma and its impacts on victims aligns with promoting health and well-being.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Issues of sexual abuse and misconduct relate to protecting children, including girls, from violence and exploitation.
   • Calls for accountability and corrective action support gender equality and protection from abuse.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The investigation by the Attorney General and Rhode Island State Police highlights the pursuit of justice.
   • Emphasis on transparency, accountability, and protection of children aligns with building strong institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3 – Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Addressing trauma from sexual abuse supports mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 5 – Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres.
   • Focus on preventing child sexual abuse and ensuring justice for victims.
3. SDG 16 – Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Investigation and legal actions against perpetrators reflect this target.
4. SDG 16 – Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.
   • Recommendations for corrective actions and transparency in the Church and government institutions.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicator for SDG 3.4: Suicide mortality rate; prevalence of mental health disorders.
   • Though not explicitly mentioned, the trauma and mental health impacts of abuse victims imply the use of mental health indicators.
2. Indicator for SDG 5.2: Proportion of women and girls subjected to sexual violence by age group.
   • The report’s documentation of 72 clergy credibly accused and the number of victims can be used to measure prevalence.
3. Indicators for SDG 16.3 and 16.6:
   • Number of investigations conducted and prosecutions made related to child sexual abuse.
   • Existence and use of dedicated hotlines and victim support resources.
   • Transparency measures such as publication of reports and summaries of accused clergy.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: riag.ri.gov

Addressing gender bias is essential for creating a more equitable and inclusive world. In this article, we’ll explore the key issues related to gender bias and outline effective strategies to bring about change.

What is gender bias?

Gender bias refers to the preferential treatment or discrimination against individuals based on their gender. It’s often subtle and can manifest in various ways, impacting people differently depending on their gender identity.

differently depending on their gender identity.There are two types of gender biases:

• Unconscious bias. Unconscious gender bias are the biases we hold without realizing it. They can influence decisions and behaviors without us even being aware.
• Implicit bias. Similar to unconscious bias, implicit bias involves attitudes or stereotypes that unconsciously affect our understanding, actions, and decisions.

For example, a manager might unknowingly favor male candidates over female candidates during the hiring process because of unconscious stereotypes about gender roles.

Impact on different genders

Gender bias affects everyone differently:

• Women in the workplace often face challenges, including the gender pay gap, limited access to leadership roles, and sexual harassment.
• Men might be discouraged from pursuing careers in caregiving or other roles traditionally seen as “female.”
• Non-binary individuals face a unique set of challenges, as traditional gender roles don’t accommodate their identities, leading to exclusion or misunderstanding.

Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing gender bias in an inclusive and effective way.

7 Key issues in gender bias

Gender discrimination is a complex issue with many facets. Let’s look at some of the most significant challenges contributing to the pervasive problem of biases.

1. Gender pay gap and wage disparities

The gender pay gap is one of the most talked-about issues related to gender bias. Despite progress, women still earn less than men for the same work in many industries.

• On average, women earn about 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in the United States.
• The wage gap is even wider for women of color, with Black women earning only 63 cents and Latina women earning 55 cents for every dollar earned by white men.

These disparities have a broad economic impact, limiting women’s financial independence and contributing to overall gender inequality.

2. Gender inequality in leadership

Leadership roles remain predominantly occupied by men, with women often underrepresented at the top levels of organizations. This is partly due to the glass ceiling – an invisible barrier that prevents women from rising to leadership positions despite their qualifications.

In Fortune 500 companies, women hold only about 8.2% of CEO positions. Societal expectations and gender stereotypes often lead to women being overlooked for leadership roles, perpetuating gender inequality.

3. Sexual harassment and microaggressions

Sexual harassment and microaggressions are pervasive issues that significantly impact women’s experiences in the workplace.

• 81% of women report experiencing some form of sexual harassment during their careers.
• Microaggressions – subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or actions – can undermine women’s confidence and contribute to a hostile work environment.

These issues not only affect women’s mental health but also their career advancement, leading to a vicious cycle of inequality.

4. Intersectional gender bias

Intersectional gender bias considers how gender intersects with other identities, such as race, ethnicity, and sexuality. Women of color, in particular, face compounded discrimination that can be more challenging to address.

Black women and Latina women often experience bias not just because of their gender but also due to their race and ethnicity. These biases manifest in various ways, including hiring discrimination, pay disparities, and limited access to career advancement opportunities.

5. Bias in hiring, promotions, and evaluations

Gender bias in the hiring process, promotions, and performance evaluations is a significant barrier to gender equality in the workplace.

Job descriptions may be written in a way that subtly discourages women from applying, while resumes from male candidates are often viewed more favorably.

Promotion processes can also be biased, with men being more likely to be promoted based on potential, while women are promoted based on proven performance.

Biases like these contribute to disparities in career advancement and the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles.

6. Impact of gender bias in STEM fields

Gender bias is particularly pronounced in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), where women are significantly underrepresented.

Stereotypes that portray STEM as a “male” field deter many young women from pursuing careers in these areas.

Women in STEM often face additional challenges, such as isolation, lack of mentorship, and bias in hiring and promotions.

These factors contribute to the ongoing gender gap in STEM, limiting the diversity of thought and innovation in these critical fields.

7. Gender roles and stereotypes

Traditional gender roles and stereotypes play a significant role in reinforcing bias. Society often expects men and women to behave in certain ways, which can limit opportunities and perpetuate inequality.

• Women might be seen as more nurturing, leading to assumptions that they should take on caregiving roles.
• Men are often perceived as more assertive, leading to a preference for male candidates in leadership positions.

These stereotypes don’t just affect men and women; they also impact non-binary and other gender identities. People who don’t conform to traditional gender roles can face additional biases and challenges.

Strategies for reducing gender bias in your company

Addressing gender bias requires proactive strategies and a commitment to change. Here are some effective approaches that organizations can take to mitigate gender bias and promote gender equity.

Bias training and DEI initiatives

Bias training and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are essential tools for addressing unconscious and implicit gender biases.

Bias training helps individuals recognize and mitigate their biases, leading to more equitable decision-making, while DEI initiatives focus on creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of gender.

Successful DEI programs often include:

• Regular training sessions to keep bias awareness top of mind.
• Inclusive hiring practices that focus on diversity.
• Employee resource groups (ERGs) that provide support and advocacy for underrepresented groups.

Promoting gender diversity and equal opportunities

Promoting gender diversity in leadership and decision-making roles helps create a more equitable workplace.

• Organizations can implement gender quotas to ensure women are represented in leadership positions.
• Initiatives like blind recruitment can help eliminate bias in the hiring process, ensuring that candidates are evaluated solely on their skills and qualifications.

Providing equal opportunities for women and other genders is not just about fairness – it also benefits organizations by bringing diverse perspectives and ideas to the table.

Mentorship and professional development

Mentorship and professional development programs are powerful tools for supporting women’s career advancement.

• Mentorship programs pair women with experienced leaders who can provide guidance, support, and advocacy.
• Professional development opportunities, such as leadership training and skill-building workshops, help women overcome barriers to advancement.

These programs are particularly important for female leaders who may face unique challenges in navigating their careers.

Parental leave, childcare, and caregiver support

Providing adequate parental leave, childcare options, and caregiver support also help promote gender parity in the workplace.

• Parental leave policies that are equitable and accessible to all genders encourage both parents to share caregiving responsibilities.
• On-site childcare or childcare subsidies can alleviate the burden on working parents, allowing them to focus better on their careers.

Supporting caregivers also involves recognizing the value of caregiving roles and ensuring they don’t impede career advancement.

Addressing bias in evaluations and promotion processes

Bias in performance evaluations and promotion processes can perpetuate gender inequality. To address this, organizations can:

• Implement standardized evaluation criteria so that all employees receive a fair assessment.
• Create diverse promotion committees to minimize bias in decision-making.

Transparency in these processes helps everyone have an equal opportunity to advance in their careers.

Working to improve gender equality is one of the most important ways we can make life better for everybody on earth — all 7.9 billion of us and counting.

Here's why.

Why support gender equality?

There are billions — about 4 billion to be more specific — of reasons to support gender equality: All the women-identified farmers, doctors, caretakers, and leaders across the world, so many of whom are still seeking access to basic human rights. Women suffer from political and social inequities, and despite their economic potential and capacity for innovation, they continue to earn 20 percent less than men.

Lack of access to education, equal pay, and healthcare doesn't only affect individual women and girls — it stifles the success of society itself. Poverty and gender inequality have been shown time and again to be linked; conversely, countries where girls receive equal education to boys reflect reliable rates of economic growth and lower rates of domestic and cultural violence.

Studies show that when women have access to participate in local and regional economies and to own homes and other assets, the health and nutrition of their children increases. It is projected that if employment rates for women matched those of men, it could increase world GDP by trillions of dollars.

In short, gender equality represents a safer, healthier, more prosperous society for all.

Read more: Why gender equality is so important

Ways to promote gender equality in daily life

While advancing gender inequity can seem insurmountable, there are actions you can take to help close the gender gap and support the success of women and girls around the world.

1. Help individual women succeed.

According to a report by Kiva and USAID on global gender lens investing, over a billion women around the world are excluded from financial systems. Financial inclusion can help increase women's incomes, which can lead to increases in household spending on food and education and an improved quality of life.

Promoting financial inclusion among women can help provide women with the opportunities to start businesses, get an education, and increase their independence and agency. It is a practice that helps one woman at a time gain traction to improve their lives while creating benefits that reverberate throughout communities.

More than 80 percent of Kiva loans go to women, many of whom live in developing countries. These loans are facilitated through the work of on-the-ground lending partners like Caurie Microfinance, working to bring their services to women living in remote locations. Based in Senegal, Caurie has raised over US$23.5 million in loans for women, not only disbursing funds but also developing improved tech and mobile platforms that make it possible for its clients to repay loans, conduct transactions, and save money without having to travel to a branch office.

Other Kiva lending partners often include business training, healthcare access, and wraparound services that help individual women succeed.

Read more: Access to finance is critical to help women entrepreneurs around the world improve their earnings

2. Discuss gender equality with family members and children.

In many developed countries and societies, it can be tempting to take women's freedom for granted. Yet there is still a tremendous chasm to cross in order to achieve gender equality around the world — and closer to home. Talk about the ways women continue to be underrepresented in government and commerce and the positive potential impact of closing the gender gap.

3. Encourage financial inclusion.

Over a billion women are excluded from traditional banking services such as credit, savings, and money transfers that foster independence. More than 70 percent of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have inadequate access to financial services like banking and credit, many with no access at all. Often they don't have access to these services because of social barriers and systemic poverty — even in developed countries like the U.S. Making microloans through organizations like Kiva helps women access capital to build credit, start businesses, fund education for themselves and their daughters, and support gender equality.

Support financial inclusion for women with a Kiva loan

4. Support women-owned businesses.

Where we choose to spend our money matters. Seeking out small businesses owned by women directly supports them and their families or communities. It also improves local economies and surrounding communities: Studies show that women-owned companies are more likely to create jobs in healthcare, food services, and other social sector industries than those owned by men. Seeking out women-owned companies and small businesses in your area is an effective way not only to support gender equality but also to help your community — for every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents remains in local circulation.

5. Shop from companies and businesses that promote gender equality.

Across corporations and industries, statistics show the positive effects of including women in executive leadership positions:

• Executive teams that are gender-diverse generate better financial performance

• Value chains that are gender-diverse are more agile and create new business opportunities

• Diversity leads to improved decision-making

There is so much power in how we spend our dollars — and where we don't. There are dozens of big corporations making huge strides in equalizing the workplace for all their employees, with a few global titans leading the way. Make a habit of researching where your dollars are going before making big purchases so you can be sure you're shopping from companies you feel good about supporting.

6. Promote gender equality at home.

Encourage the fair division of labor for household chores. Everyone is capable of contributing to the cooking, cleaning, childcare, and other unpaid labor it takes to keep a home and family. Not only does sharing the load between women and men break down stereotypes, it also makes caring for a household easier — many hands make light work.

Read more: How microfinance providers can improve outcomes for women entrepreneurs

Ways to improve gender equality in society

All of us live and work in a larger context, and we often encounter people different from us in greater society. We can promote gender equality by acting with kindness and courage:

7. Keep in mind that gender is not the same as biological sex.

While someone's biological sex refers strictly to biology, gender covers a host of social constructs and expectations that comprise an individual's identity. Even if a person was not born 'female', if they identify as a woman, as gender-diverse, or as non-binary, they will face social and economic risks even greater than those that people born female do. It's important to keep in mind that these groups need even more support and consideration when discussing gender equality.

Read more: The glass ceiling still looms above for women business owners in the U.S.

8. Speak out against gender-based violence.

Almost one in three women and girls have experienced physical and/or emotional abuse in their lifetime, most often at the hands of a spouse, partner, or relative. Lower-income women are at the highest risk for violence against women, and a lack of reporting violent acts, due to lack of safety and trust with current systems, affects women across all economic and social strata.

Ways to improve gender equality in the workplace

Given the tremendous contributions of women to business, tech, science, government, and every other sector of commercial and cultural importance, it's hard to believe that gender equality remains an issue in the workplace. However, one only needs to look at the statistics to realize that imbalances still exist:

• Women earn 82 cents compared to every dollar made by men in developed countries; globally, it is just 77 cents. For women of color, immigrant women and mothers, the gap is even larger.

• Though the numbers are increasing, women still occupy just 26 percent of all CEO and managing director positions. Only 23 Fortune 500 companies have women CEOS. In North America, the percentage of women of color in management positions remains in the single digits.

• Mothers and women of child-bearing age with the same career experience as men are less likely to be hired and promoted.

• Women report far more cases of burnout, stress, and exhaustion with work.

While many companies now implement diversity and inclusion measures in their hiring practices and human resources departments, few can boast they've closed the gender gap. Since it is still so rare, it bears asking the question: What does gender equality actually look like at work?

• It means every employee has access to the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities within the organization

• All employees feel safe from discrimination

• Training and education are made available to all

• Rewards and promotions are based on merit

• Merit and evaluation systems are unbiased

• Everyone is treated with equal respect

So what can we do to promote gender equality in the workplace, improve working conditions, and provide access to more opportunities for women? Each of us can help, whether we are entrepreneurs, in entry-level positions, gig workers, or climbing the corporate ladder.

9. Check your bias.

Many people don't realize the implicit ways they have internalized cultural biases of gender and race, which can affect all levels of the workplace. Many employers provide implicit bias training to help dissipate unconscious perceptions.

10. Use gender-inclusive language.

Referring to workers as 'individuals'; rather than as 'men' or 'women' in job descriptions, employee handbooks, and other company materials decreases bias, even — especially — in roles that have traditionally been held by one particular gender.

11. Advocate for equity.

Addressing the places and issues within company culture that create barriers for women and non-binary employees brings attention to where the work needs to be done. Often, leadership needs to be made aware of gender disparity before anything can change.

12. Ask for better.

Flexible hours, paid family and medical leave, and even offering childcare benefits are ways that some companies are creating a more equitable environment for working mothers (and parents in general!).

13. Focus on performance.

When it comes to promoting gender equality in the workplace, the best way to close the gap is to reward those who create results, bring in revenue, and achieve company goals —regardless of any perceived notions of their abilities.

Ways to advocate for gender equality

While there are myriad actions we can take to promote gender equality at school, at work, and in our everyday lives, gender equality advocacy takes that commitment to a higher level. If you're passionate about closing the gender gap, creating more opportunities for women and non-binary individuals, and forging a more equitable and just world, here are a few suggestions.

14. Listen and learn.

All of us stand on the shoulders of those who have been doing the work of advocating for gender equality for generations. Read fundamental materials by organizations to understand the progress as well as the pitfalls that have been made. Seek out the past and present leaders of the movement, and have faith in yourself as a future leader.

15. Educate others.

Share what you know in private conversations and public forums. Use facts, statistics, and relevant anecdotes to make your case. While it's not always easy to remain patient with those who don't agree, and it is first and foremost an individual responsibility to educate ourselves, sticking to the point that gender equality improves life for everyone can help diffuse uncomfortable conversations.

16. Become an activist.

It is projected that it will take another 132 years for the world to achieve gender equality, but we can speed things up by getting involved. Make sure policymakers at local, regional, national, and international levels know that creating opportunities for women is the way to improve economies. Present gender equality issues as front and center for elections, and grill candidates on their positions. Better yet, run for office yourself!

Related: How Phearong became a women's rights leader in Cambodia

17. Support reproductive freedom.

Access to healthcare and sex education, including birth control and the right to choose when and if a woman wants to have children and how many, are a vital pillar of gender equality. Economic development, educational opportunities, and social progress depend on the right of women to control their bodies.

Ways to promote gender equality in school

We know that educating girls is key to economic development and creating women leaders and entrepreneurs. The good news is that global enrollment of women in higher education has tripled from 1995 to 2018. However, ensuring gender equality in the classroom doesn't come automatically or easily — it takes conscious action.

18. Make sure learning materials represent everyone.

The selection of books, references, and other resources for a class can draw from a diverse group of authors. When the subject matter precludes the inclusion of women or non-binary contributors, address the reasons why that particular resource may not have favored such diversity.

19. Stick with gender-inclusive language.

As in everyday life and in the workplace, the use of gender-inclusive language in the classroom is an important way to ensure everyone feels supported. The use of 'you guys' and 'ladies and gentlemen' in the classroom favor traditional gender roles and binaries and can make young women and non-binary students feel excluded. When speaking to a group, the use of 'students', 'class', or even 'you all' are worthy gender-inclusive alternatives.

20. Challenge gender stereotypes.

While teaching anything from math to writing to science, choose examples that go against staid perceptions of gender: Women construction workers, stay-at-home dads — showing people of all genders in various roles helps students realize they need not be limited by anything.

21. Respect preferred pronouns.

When a young person expresses their wish to be referred to by a specific pronoun, honoring that wish affirms the student's identity to others and promotes gender equality in the classroom.

22. Help fund education for girls.

While women have now surpassed men in the U.S. for college graduation rates, in many places around the world, social norms prevent young women from pursuing college degrees or advanced training. Kiva helps women-identified students crowdsource tuition and living expenses from lenders all over the world, enabling them to advance their opportunities.

Lend to a woman today

Read more: How Kiran bucked traditional gender roles to pursue her education in Kathmandu

Ways to promote gender equality in sports

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, which Kiva is proud to partner with, made history in 2022 by demanding and receiving the same pay as the men's team, inspiring women and girls everywhere to seek out equality in sports. But even though women athletes achieved tremendous victories and the 1972 passage of Title IX was meant to guarantee equal representation in U.S. school sports, gender inequalities continue. An unacceptable 90 percent of colleges and universities discriminate against women in sports, and women are still underrepresented in leadership roles in the professional sports sector

Here are some key ways to promote gender equality in sports and level the playing field.

23. Be a fan.

Support women's and girls' athletic teams by watching games in person or on television, following their social media, buying season passes, and sporting their merch. This goes for professional, international, and college-level teams as well as high school and younger —cheering from the sidelines encourages young players to stick with it.

24. Be a player.

Not everyone has the prowess to pursue professional sports, but there are plenty of local, low-key athletic opportunities for women of all ages. Even if it's a workplace softball team or helping coach a kindergarten soccer team, women's presence matters at every level.

25. Demand better policy.

While gender equality is finally getting attention at the professional level, there is plenty of room for improvement in school and recreational sports organizations. Women and girls deserve equal consideration when it comes to financial aid, funding and participation opportunities.

26. Protect whistleblowers.

Coming forward with examples of gender inequality, discrimination, and sexual harassment is courageous and often the only way to move the needle towards equality. Help establish anonymous programs to report such instances and protect privacy.

27. Use appropriate language.

When speaking or writing about women's sports, focus on skills and performance, not the way uniforms fit or what an athlete does in their private life. Achieving gender equality in sports depends on all athletes receiving the same kinds of respectful treatment from the media, fans, coaches, industry executives, and other players.

Every action counts

To paraphrase Kiva's Executive Chairwoman Julie Hanna, our work has just begun in achieving gender equality around the world. While the barriers may seem overwhelming, they are not insurmountable — especially when we see that there are so many actionable ways to support women — those who live in our communities and those in cultures across the globe.

The article highlights the narrowing lead of Claudia Sheinbaum, the former Mexico City mayor and candidate of the ruling Morena party, ahead of Mexico's presidential election. Sheinbaum's lead has decreased slightly according to an opinion poll conducted by Parametria between April 25 and 29, 2024. Despite this decrease, she remains the frontrunner with 44% support, ahead of Xochitl Galvez, the candidate of a right-left alliance, who garnered 31% support.

One notable aspect of the poll is the increase in support for Jorge Alvarez Maynez of the opposition center-left Citizens' Movement, who saw a three-point increase in backing compared to the February survey, reaching 8%. This suggests a potential shift in voter preferences towards Maynez, indicating a dynamic and competitive electoral landscape.

In the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), several goals are relevant to this article:

1. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The narrowing lead in the presidential race reflects the dynamics of political and economic aspirations in Mexico. The outcome of the election could impact the country's economic policies and growth trajectory, influencing the creation of quality jobs and economic opportunities for its citizens.

2. Goal 5: Gender Equality: Claudia Sheinbaum's potential presidency could mark a significant milestone as she could become the first woman to rule the country. Her leadership would contribute to advancing gender equality and empowering women in political leadership roles, aligning with the SDG's aim of promoting gender equality as a fundamental human right.

3. Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The electoral process and the eventual outcome are crucial for ensuring stability, justice, and effective governance in Mexico. A peaceful transition of power and the establishment of strong, accountable institutions are essential for sustainable development and achieving peace and justice for all citizens.

Overall, the evolving political landscape in Mexico, as reflected in the narrowing lead of presidential candidates, holds implications for various aspects of sustainable development, including economic growth, gender equality, and the strength of institutions. As the election date approaches, the focus will remain on how these developments align with Mexico's progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This article talks about the South African governments pilot program (Gender equality framework) across it's different agencies. The GEF is trying to promote gender equality in the work place. It does this by addressed different gender disparities going on. The government is trying to bridge the gender pay gap, as well as give more opportunities for women in the work place. They are also working on increasing equality in the workplace as far as treatment of employees goes.

Tackling the persistent gender pay gap, South African

government departments pilot gender equality framework, 

and more

Evidence-based tools to tackle the persistent gender pay gap

At a recent Global Government Forum webinar, experts from the UK and Canada shared thoughts on why the gender pay gap has proved so tough to tackle, and what needs to happen now.

Information is power: In February, the Government of Canada launched the Equi’Vision online tool, which provides information on representation rates and pay gaps in the federally regulated private sector for the four groups covered by the Employment Equity Act: women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

Renée Roussel, director general, Federal Programs – Labour Program, Employment and Social Development Canada, called it a “first of its kind” and said: “This initiative provides the information needed so that employers and employees can find solutions to recognise the value of all workers.”

A complex problem: Analysis finds that the gender pay gap in the UK now stands at 14.3%. “And this gets worse as you get older,” said Lucille Thirlby, assistant general secretary of the FDA, a trade union representing senior civil servants. Further, disabled women face the highest pay gap at 35% compared to non-disabled men, which Thirlby said is the equivalent of £7,000 a year.

She highlighted the “complex, varied and long-term” root causes of gender pay gaps, from direct discrimination to structural factors, such as occupational segregation, the part-time pay penalty, women’s disproportionate responsibility for unpaid caring, and women’s concentration in “low-paid, highly feminised sectors”.

What works: Kadie Philp, commissioner and chief administrative officer, Pay Equity Commission of Ontario, observed that: “In countries, provinces or sub-national governments that have some form of reporting requirements, we see the gender wage gap closing much quicker.”

She highlighted work the province is doing to tackle some of the systemic issues raised, such as Ontario’s Pay Equity Act, established in 1987, and outlined how Ontario was the first globally to introduce the concept of pay equity as equal pay for work of equal value. The Pay Equity Office also provides a range of tools to support employers.

Read the full webinar summary and replay the event.

South African government departments to pilot gender equality framework

South Africa’s Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has launched a pilot project where select departments will implement the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Gender Equality Seal.

Gender mainstreaming: The framework enables public institutions to assess their gender responsiveness and take measures to enhance performance in key areas such as gender mainstreaming, leadership and accountability, gender-responsive service delivery, and workplace gender equality.

Practical measures include capacity-building, self-assessment, action plan development, and a final assessment.

Public service reform: Yoliswa Makhasi, the director-general of the DPSA, said that the Gender Seal is an integral part of broader interventions aimed at reforming the public service to effectively address societal challenges. “By integrating gender considerations into our policies and practices, we aim to foster a more equitable and prosperous society for all,” she commented.

Pilot departments: Selected national and provincial departments will participate in the pilot phase of the Gender Equality Seal Project. At the national level, these include but are not limited to: the Department of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Department of Transport.

Roadmap: Gabriel Dava, deputy resident representative of the UNDP, said the Gender Equality Seal will serve as a roadmap for South Africa’s public institutions to accelerate programmes towards gender equality while also strengthening service delivery and accountability to national development goals.

Webinar: Hybrid working and women civil servants

3 October: Online

This webinar will look at the benefits of fitting work around caring responsibilities at home and the potential risk that women who are not in the office as often have less influence in team decisions.

Register now

Fears that women could bear the brunt of New Zealand’s public service cuts

As job cuts continue across New Zealand government departments, the Public Service Association (PSA) has warned that women could be hit hardest.

Behind the cuts: The conservative coalition government, elected in October, asked agencies to make savings of between 6.5% and 7.5% as it attempts to reduce spending on public services by around NZ$1.5 billion (US$890 million).

Tertiary Education Commission announcement: In April, staff at the Tertiary Education Commission were told that the organisation is cutting 28 roles including administration and clerical roles like executive assistants, administrators, executive officers and the business support team.

Of the 28, nine roles are vacant, and three-quarters of the remaining roles are filled by women, the PSA said.

‘Disproportionate’ impact: “Every day we are seeing the price public service workers are paying to fund the government’s tax cuts, and these fall disproportionately on work largely carried out by women at TEC,” said Kerry Davies, national secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“We’re concerned that this pattern will be replicated across the public service as agencies cut staff.”

In February, PSA assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons warned that “the history of public sector cuts in New Zealand is that women suffer disproportionately”.

Back-office roles: The National Party, which leads the government, campaigned on cutting “back-office expenditure” in public agencies, as part of its ‘Back Pocket Boost’ tax plan.

Data from the Public Service Commission shows that women are more likely to work in clerical and administrative positions, and HR, legal, and policy-related roles.

Finance minister Nicola Willis has said that “women have everything to gain from a government that takes care to spend their tax dollars wisely”.

Training: Women into leadership

Global Government Forum is running two stand-alone but complementary seminars that look at a wide range of issues affecting women who are either looking to move into leadership roles, or who are already in such roles, and who wish to equip themselves for a further upwards move.

Find out more about session one on 24 October and session two on 7 November.

UK government urged to address local elections gender gap

As local elections took place in the UK last week, analysis from women’s rights charity The Fawcett Society and election data provider Democracy Club revealed that just 34% of local election candidates were women.

No progress: The organisations said the findings reflect “a worrying lack of progress” since they last released these figures in 2021, when 33% of candidates who stood were women, and no progress following their last analysis of women’s representation on councils which found that 36% of councillors were women.

“It is clear that without significant and urgent further action, women will continue to remain under-represented when crucial decisions are made about their daily lives,” a statement said.

The data also revealed that just 26% of police and crime commissioner candidates and 27% of mayoral candidates in the latest elections were women.

Way down the list: No party had gender parity in its candidates standing for local election in England, with Labour and the Green Party doing best at 41% and Reform UK having just 22% female candidates. In a list of the most common names of candidates, a woman’s name does not appear until position 17.

Where are all the women? Alesha De-Freitas, Fawcett Society head of policy, research and advocacy, said: “51% of the population but just 34% of the candidates – where are all the women?

“Despite knowing that women tend to be more significantly impacted by local decisions, as we are more likely to rely on council-run services like social care, we are failing to make real progress on women’s representation at local level.

“We urgently need government to collect candidate diversity data – we simply don’t even have the numbers on how bad the situation is for Black and minoritised women. And we need to make being a local councillor accessible to representatives who have caring responsibilities.”

Call to action: The Fawcett Society is calling for government, political parties and local councils to act now to increase women’s representation.

It calls for the government specifically to require political parties to collect their own candidate diversity data; introduce a statutory England-wide, comprehensive parental leave policy for councillors; and introduce a four-term limit for councillors to tackle the problem that more men tend to remain councillors for longer, limiting the opportunities for women to stand. It also calls for a formalised funding scheme for disabled candidates in England to be reinstated.

Funding to promote gender equality is failing to keep up with the increasing global challenges and attacks on women and LGBTQ+ human rights. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated inequalities across all aspects of life. Combined with the climate crisis and political and economic insecurity, progress on SDG 5 has stalled and has begun to backslide. The pandemic significantly challenged the capacity of countries and organizations to address inequalities and grievances experienced by gender minorities. The impacts of the pandemic and the imperfect progress toward gender equality signify that international organizations, foundations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must collectively commit to increasing investments in transformative, evidence-based programming to reduce gender inequalities.

Various sources provide funding for gender equality, such as governments through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and gender-focused fiscal policies, international organizations, private foundations, and NGOs. ODA from the members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the primary source of financing for development aid, refers to government aid that targets economic growth and welfare of developing countries. Given the scale of challenges faced by gender minorities, significant funding gaps persist. Some include gender-responsive budgeting, gender equality as a share of ODA, and funding for women’s organizations and movements. Data gaps exist too. UN Women affirms that, globally, data on funding for women and girls is “significantly lacking.” Successful gender financing requires data transparency, achieved by the improvement of data capacity for gender equality stakeholders to collect, analyze, and publish data related to gender financing; the engagement of donors with data users to understand users' needs and get feedback; and the availability of quality, comprehensive, detailed, and timely gendered data. Governments, NGOs, international organizations, and foundations should include funding for data transparency in their aid.

Gender-responsive budgeting enables institutions to commit finances to gender equality by integrating gender considerations into their budgets and including specific allocations for gender programming and policies. In 2022, 23 out of 38 OECD countries (61%) had introduced gender budgeting measures, compared to 50% of OECD countries in 2018, and 35% in 2016. Of these countries, 14 have legal underpinnings safeguarding the implementation of gender budgeting. The IMF reports that G20 countries score relatively low in implementing gender analysis into budget processes and government annual financial reports seldom include information about gender.

As of 2021, only 26% of countries have comprehensive systems to track gender budget allocations and 15% lack minimal elements to track gender budgets. Countries have been categorized as having an advanced gender budgeting practice, a mainstreamed gender-budgeting practice, an introductory gender budgeting practice, or a threshold gender budgeting practice. To date, no countries qualify as advanced. As a foundation for gender equality funding, the lack of countries that practice gender budgeting reflects the lack of attention to gender issues and perspectives, the unavailability of gender-disaggregated data, and the world’s minimal understanding of the requirements to ensure progress for women, girls, and LGBTQ+ persons. Gender budgeting serves as a key tool for implementing gender equality and assuring appropriate financial allocation.

In 2020-2021, DAC members allocated 44% (USD 57.4 billion) of their bilateral allocable ODA for gender equality; however, programs with gender equality as the principal objective represent only 4%. Most ODA was dedicated to programs that treat gender equality as a “significant”—but not primary—policy objective. While the United States provides a large amount of ODA overall, it ranked near the bottom of OECD countries in terms of gender equality aid relative to total ODA in 2019. Contributions by individual countries fluctuate. For example, Canada contributed 25% ($875 million) of its bilateral allocable ODA to gender equality initiatives in 2019 and 15% in 2020 ($388 million). As a result, South Sudan received $77 million less for gender equality programming that year. These reductions significantly impact the capacity to plan and implement gender equality programming to achieve sustainable, lasting, and transformative progress. 

The international community overlooks and undervalues the impacts local women’s organizations and movements have in achieving SDG 5. Women’s organizations and movements have the most extensive and localized knowledge about the cultural norms, traditions, practices, and histories of the communities they serve. Women’s organizations and movements receive less than 1% of ODA committed to gender equality, and only a fraction goes to Black women-led organizations. This minuscule share of funding signifies untapped potential, presenting yet another obstacle to intersectional gender equality. For gender equality budgeting to serve everyone, it must center on the most marginalized. Women’s organizations need multi-year flexible funding that meets specific targets for organizations led by women of color and LGBTQ+ persons.

Governments and the international community must treat gender equality as necessary for lasting sustainable development and stability. Gender equality supports economic growth worldwide, peace and security, climate resiliency, and global health. Achieving the SDGs requires a stronger commitment to gender equality funding, achieved through gender-responsive budgeting for security and consistency. Investing in the advancement of equality is imperative for global social progress. The world will not achieve the 2030 goals until it values women, girls, and gender minorities. 

This isn't the first time Iceland women have organized like this. The first Women's Day Off occured in October 1975, and the strike this week was the seventh such strike in the name of gender equality. Focusing specifically on the gender pay gap and gender-based violence, the strike hoped to call attention to these issues within the country of Iceland.

Thousands of female employees stayed home, causing widespread school cancellations, bank branch closures, and medical care only for emergencies. The Icelandic media service reporting on the strike even commented that their coverage was reduced due to the absence of their female staff. The most notable participant in the strike was Iceland's female Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, who cancelled her meetings and official duties for the day in solidarity with the strikes. 

Iceland is already ranked as one of the most gender-equal societies in the globe, with the World Economic Forum stating they've closed 91.2% of the gender pay gap. Despite having already made significant strides in achieving gender equality, Iceland and its female citizens remain committed to achiving full gender equality in a timely manner.

While footage showing her unconscious body being carried from the train car has been widely circulated, Iran has offered no videos of her collapse onboard the train. Regardless of the cause, Geravand suffered severe brain damage and has been in a coma since October 4th.

A part of the Kurdish minority in Iran, Armita Geravand was born in the western part of the country before moving to the capital. Her brutal injuries come 13 months after the death of another Kurdish woman, Jina Mahsa Amini, who died in Morality Police custody after being arrested for violating the same hijab law.

How Bogotá cares for its family caregivers: From dance classes to job training

ABSTRACT

Somalia’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita has consistently been ranked among the five lowest in the world throughout the last decade and in 2020 it was the second lowest in the world. In 2019, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated the labour force participation of men (15-64) to be 73.6% while women’s (15-64) labour force participation rate was estimated to be 23.1% with the figures remaining relatively unchanged over the past 10 years. Agriculture remains the biggest employer of both men and women at 79.2% and 83.9% of the labour force respectively.

Over the past two decades, Somalia has experienced a raging civil war, a rise in violent extremism and a devastating humanitarian crisis, which resulted in weak  institutional and bureaucratic infrastructure and has greatly damaged social cohesion and unity.  For decades, conflict, insecurity and natural disasters such as droughts, cyclones, floods, desert locust and COVID-19 have made Somalia a difficult and volatile humanitarian crisis. Somalia has one of the largest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world, with displacement driven by the conflict with al-Shabab, fear of violence, drought, lack of livelihood opportunities and evictions.  A total of 7.7 million Somali women, men, and children are estimated to require humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Life for women and girls in Somalia is challenging. Somalia ranks fourth lowest for gender equality globally, maternal and infant mortality rates are some of the highest in the world, and early marriage is prevalent. The Somalia Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS) shows that Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in women aged 15–49 is high, at 99.2%which has both short-term and long-term physiological, sexual and psychological repercussions.   Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is one of the most prevalent human rights violations faced by people, particularly women, all around the globe. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, women, and girls have faced an even greater risk of SGBV.  To address some of the challenges, in 2018, the Federal Parliament introduced the comprehensive Sexual Offences Bill (SOB), which if approved during the 11th Parliament, would offer greater protection for the victims of sexual violence and would represent a significant step toward ending the culture of impunity as it relates to GBV in Somalia.  

In the Somali context, exclusionary politics has been a historic driver of conflict. Given the male-dominated clan system and the absence of a systematic approach to promote inclusivity, Somali women largely remain excluded from key political and decision-making processes, despite the complex they continue to play in conflict, peace, and security.  They continue to remain underrepresented within national and regional decision and making policy-making bodies. Gender imbalance in political participation, in leadership and decision-making, is a threat to sustained peace and development. Despite commitments to 30% quota for women in the 11th Parliamentary elections (2021-2022), the women’s representation stands low at 20% in House of the People, which is lower than the 2016 figure of 24%.  There were some gains made with 26% seats for women in Upper House in 11th Parliament in comparison to 24% in 10th Parliament.

Despite the positive trajectory towards stability, there continue to be numerous attacks in both urban and rural areas, carried out by militant groups in Somalia. The limited capacities at all levels of government to provide for the security, protection, social, environmental, and economic needs of the population specifically women pose an additional challenge to the promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) in Somalia.

Other aspects of the challenges that women face in accessing justice are the Somali culture, which restricts women to the home and family sphere; differing interpretations of judicial regimes, like sharia, secular and customary law; and the absence of women within the judicial system.  Out of a total of 295 judges there exist 2 female judges and out of a total of 65 prosecutors  14 female prosecutors as of 2021 calling for attention for gender parity.

Our programmes

UN Women works towards making the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on the following UNCF strategic priorities:

Functional, inclusive, accountable, and transparent democratic systems across all levels of government and governmental institutions

All Somalis Particularly Women Live in a Peaceful, Inclusive, and Cohesive Society

Security And Rule Of Law

Economic Development  and Social Development

Strategic Partnerships

The Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD) at the Federal and Federal Member States is the key partner of UN Women Somalia Program.  UN Women also works with other ministries and institutions including the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs and Endowment, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Office of the Attorney-General, Ministry of Interior and National Security, Parliament, Independent Electoral Commission among others.  UN Women also works closely with the Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, youth organizations, women led organizations, clan elders, religious leaders.

Key donors that support the UN Women program in Somalia include: The Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Government of Japan, Peace Building Fund (PBF), MPTF through EU, Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.  In parallel, UN Women will also explore new partnerships with bilateral, private sector and regional donors.

The Gender Social Norms Index released yesterday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offers a look at gender equality as measured by people's personal gender bias. The data, which was collected from 75 countries covering 81% of the world's population, found that 91% of men and 86% of women show at least one clear bias against women in the areas of politics, economics, education, and physical integrity.

In other words, 9 out of 10 people worldwide—both men and women—are biased against women in vital areas that impact the world in major ways. Splendid.

They stressed that the proposed parliamentary Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab and existing de facto restrictions are inherently discriminatory and may amount to gender persecution.

“The draft law imposes severe punishments on women and girls for non-compliance which may lead to its violent enforcement,” the experts warned.

It also violates fundamental rights such as the right to take part in cultural life, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful protest, and the right to access social, educational, and health services, they added.

Mahsa Amini death

“After months of nationwide protests over the death of Jina Mahsa Amini and against restrictive veiling laws, the authorities have introduced a tiered system of punishments targeting women and girls,” the experts said.

The 22-year-old was arrested in Tehran and taken into custody nearly a year ago by the so-called morality police for her alleged failure to comply with the already strict hijab laws.

She reportedly fell ill at a police station with witnesses testifying that she had first been severely beaten, and later died in hospital. Iranian authorities denied that she had been assaulted.

Culture war

The UN-appointed added the proposed new punishments under the draft legislation would “disproportionately affect economically marginalised women”.

The use of culture by the Iranian government as a tool to restrict the rights of women and girls is misplaced, the experts warned, noting that “culture is formed and evolves with the participation of all”.

By using terms such as “nudity, lack of chastity, lack of hijab, bad dressing and acts against public decency leading to disturbance of peace”, the draft law seeks to authorise public institutions to deny essential services and opportunities to those who will not comply.

Directors and managers of organisations who fail to implement the law could also be punished; the independent experts warned.

‘Weaponizing’ morality

“The weaponization of “public morals” to deny women and girls their freedom of expression is deeply disempowering and will entrench and expand gender discrimination and marginalisation, with wider negative consequences for children and society as a whole,” the experts said.

They note that the so-called morality police have also been reportedly redeployed in some areas since early July, potentially to enforce compulsory veiling strictures.

The bill was submitted to parliament by the Government and the judiciary on 21 May. Since then, it has been amended several times, with the latest draft significantly increasing the number of punishments for non-compliance.

“We urge authorities to reconsider the compulsory hijab legislation in compliance with international human rights law, and to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights for all women and girls in Iran,” the experts said.

Experts’ mandate

Special Rapporteurs and other independent human rights experts are appointed to monitor and report on specific country situations or thematic issues.

They serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.

The study was published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health this week, just ahead of International Women's Day. It adds to a growing body of research showing that advances in women's rights benefit everyone.

"This International Women's Day, let's not forget that the evidence demonstrates that enhancing women's representation across multiple sectors contributes to wealthier and, hence, healthier societies for all," lead author Cat Pinho-Gomes, a research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and Imperial College London, said in a release.

Researchers estimated gender equality in 156 countries using a "modified global gender gap index," which is based on an index developed by the World Economic Forum (WEF) between 2010 and 2021. They believe this is the first study to examine the link between that index and the gender gap in life expectancy.

"Globally, greater gender equality is associated with longer [life expectancy] for both women and men and a widening of the gender gap in [life expectancy]," they conclude.

Overall, in 2021, each 10% increase in the modified gender gap index was associated with a 3.6-year increase in women's life expectancy and a 2.9-year increase for men. That amounts to an eight-month wider gender gap.

There was considerable variation across geographical regions, with the gap much narrower among high-income countries.

That suggests that gender equality may initially widen the gender gap in life expectancy, researchers say, "as the benefits of greater gender equality mainly benefit women's lives and health." But the ripple effect would eventually benefit men's longevity too.

"As countries progress along the continuum of gender equality, the benefits of increased participation of women in society extend to men, thus leading to a larger increase in men's [life expectancy] and a narrowing of the gender gap in [life expectancy]," they write.

Equality in education has the strongest link to longevity

"Many of the factors that determine how long you will live — like working and living conditions, exposure to pollution, access to health care, education, income, and social support — are layered with gender differences around the world," Pinho-Gomes explains.

The World Economic Forum's global gender gap index focuses on four dimensions: health, economic opportunities, education and political leadership.

The researchers homed in on the political, economic and educational aspects of gender equality, and found that the latter had the strongest association with increased life expectancy.

Pinho-Gomes says that underscores the importance of investing in education, especially in low- and middle-income countries where resources and opportunities for girls remain limited.

The study notes that while more than two-thirds of countries reached gender parity in primary education enrollment in 2020, significant disparities persist in parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Girls' access to education has long-term implications for their well-being and that of their community, including in areas like family planning and poverty reduction. And, Pinho-Gomes says, it's not only important in developing countries.

"Even high-income countries — where substantial progress has been made to address gender inequalities in recent years — investing in gender equality may still benefit life expectancy, particularly for men," she says.

Advances in politics and the workforce are needed too

The study also highlights some of the economic challenges women face, namely the gender pay gap and their lower rates of participation in the workforce.

It says "unleashing the full potential of half the world's population" will require changing social norms and implementing "gender-sensitive policies" like adequate parental leave and flexible hours.

Those policy reforms are easier said than done, the study acknowledges. Even when women are represented in large numbers in political institutions, it says, they often face glass ceilings and other challenges that limit their power to make change.

Pinho-Gomes says the weaker association between gender equality in the political domain and the life expectancy gender gap "raises concerns about how gender equality is being implemented by political systems worldwide."

United Nations data show that women around the world are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making, from executive to local government positions. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years, it says.

Just 31 countries have female heads of state and/or government as of January 2023 — and that was before the resignation announcements of prominent women leaders like New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern and Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon.

"As we've seen from the recent resignations of high-profile female politicians, women still experience significant challenges in this field, including discrimination, balancing private, family and political life, gaining support from political parties, and securing campaign funding," Pinho-Gomes says.

The findings can help set policy priorities at a crucial time

While the authors say their study is strong — especially because of the reliability of the WEF data and the large number of countries included — they also acknowledge several limitations.

For one, data were not available for all of the countries in the world, so the associations observed in some regions might look different if all of their neighbors were included. The index they used is not exhaustive, so including additional indicators of gender inequality could potentially yield different results.

They also say it's possible that the associations they observed between gender equality and life expectancy could be explained by other factors, like socioeconomic development and sociocultural norms.

That said, they believe their findings could help policymakers worldwide set priorities in public health and other areas.And the issue has taken on a new urgency: The WEF estimates that the time it will take to close the global gender gap increased by an entire generation — from 99.5 years to 135.6 years — as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, in the words of the researchers, had "a gendered impact across multiple domains of life."

The bill received cross-party support and was celebrated by politicians across India’s often fractious political spectrum but some expressed reservations that it could still take years for the quota to be implemented.

A total of 214 lawmakers from the upper house voted in favor of the Women’s Reservation Bill, which was introduced by prime minister Narendra Modi’s government in a special parliamentary session on Tuesday. It was approved by the lower house on Wednesday.

“A historic moment in our country’s democratic journey!” Modi wrote on Twitter after its approval. “With the passing of this bill, the representation of women power will be strengthened and a new era of their empowerment will begin.”

Six attempts to pass the bill, first introduced in 1996, have failed, at times due to strong disapproval from the country’s overwhelmingly male lawmakers.

In India, the world’s largest democracy of 1.4 billion people, women make up nearly half of the country’s 950 million registered voters but only 15% of lawmakers in parliament and 10% in state assemblies.

Despite being voted through, the move will not apply to next year’s general election.

The implementation of the quota could take years as it depends on the redrawing of electoral constituencies, which will only happen after the completion of India’s once-in-a-decade census.

That huge census project was meant to take place in 2021, but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has been stalled ever since.

Some members of India’s opposition expressed disappointment that the bill won’t come into effect sooner.

Sonia Gandhi, a leader of the Indian National Congress, said women have been waiting for 13 years for the bill to go through.

“Now they have been asked to wait longer,” she told lawmakers in parliament. “How many years more?”

Rajani Patil, another Congress lawmaker, said that while the party was “very happy” at its passage, their demand is that the bill should be “implemented immediately” for the general elections.

She added: “It should include OBC reservations as well,” referring to India’s caste system, a 2,000 year old social hierarchy imposed on people by birth. Though abolished in 1950, it still exists in many aspects of life.

Nonetheless, the bill’s passage in parliament will be seen as a further boost to Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of national elections next year.

While India has made progress on women’s issues in recent years, it remains a deeply patriarchal country.

It has, since its independence in 1947, had one female prime minister. India Gandhi served as the country’s leader twice before her assassination in 1984.

India’s current President, Droupadi Murmu, who was appointed to the position last year became only the second woman to take the seat.

Across the world, the overall share of lower house parliamentary seats occupied by women is about 26 percent according to UN Women’s data, up from 11 per cent in 1995.

Only six nations have currently achieved 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses. Rwanda leads with 61 per cent, followed by Cuba (53 per cent), Nicaragua (52 per cent), Mexico (50 per cent), New Zealand (50 per cent), and the United Arab Emirates (50 per cent).

A further 23 countries have reached or surpassed 40 per cent, including 13 countries in Europe, six in Africa, three in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one in Asia – Timor Leste.

However Taiwan, which is not counted in the UN data, has the second highest representation of women in its legislature in Asia after the UAE at 43 percent.

We are Equality Scouts and we are writing this article because we want to raise people's awareness about inequalities that people are faced with. We have begun with small research by conducting a survey that we have filled out with our school community. But now, our aim is to share this blog post with you.

Our Topic

Our topic is gender equality, which is the 5th global goal. When we discussed about the global goals within the framework of our exhibition processes, we knew that gender inequality was a crucial problem all around the world. Therefore, we all came up with a plan to take action to find a solution for [SDG 5]. To carry out this plan, we first conducted a survey and observed people's readiness about gender inequality in the community and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Now, we are writing an article based on these results which constitutes the last step of our exhibition project.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to dissolve poverty, protect our planet, and ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity. Gender Equality is a goal which determines how we deal with the inequality problem in our society. During our project, we have focused on this goal specifically.

Gender Equality

SDG 5 consists of five targts. The most important of these goals is "the elimination of discrimination against women and girls (5.1), the end of forced marriage and female genital mutilation (5.3), the empowerment of women and their support through technology (5.B)". Most of the research we conducted illustrates that inequalities against women can affect motivation and productivity. Inequalities in the workplace are not the only way that women are faced with inequality. In societies, women can have more responsibilities taking care of children and completing chores in their daily routines. Nowadays, women have an important role in working life, so the roles of genders will be changing day by day.

Our Logo And Why Do We Made Our Logo Like This?

We have designed our logo by demonstrating half-pictures of a man and a woman. We thought that purple should be the background color because it represents the mixture of  blue and pink. This is why we decided to make the background of our logo purple, and the male and female in the middle is a logo that indicates equality. 

Gender Gap Index and Turkey

Gender equality is based on diversity in countries' culture, traditions and beliefs. These differences create social problems between men and women over time and bring about inequalities. For gender inequality, [women's] participation in educational attainment, education, labour force and political empowerment remains at lower levels. The global gender gap index functions as a compass in monitoring the differences between women and men in health, survival, economy, and politics. The global gender gap index is an indicator that helps better understand what the gender gap is and how it changes across the years, disaggregated by health, economic empowerment and labor market indicators. The aim of the study is to evaluate Turkey and other developed and emerging countries within the framework of the countries considered in the global gender gap index. According to the index results obtained [in our research], it is seen that Turkey is amongst the countries with the lowest equality between genders. 

Discussion about the results of our survey

We carried out a survey with students between the ages of 8 and 15 in our school by asking questions about the SDGs and gender inequality. Most of the students had heard about the SDGs at least once before. However, they did not have different ideas about finding solutions for gender inequality. They exemplified the problem of gender inequality through colors and specific occupational groups.

Our Solutions And Work 

First, let's talk about our recommendations. 

1. Men and women are already equal in law in most countries. But how well are these laws enforced? Men and women are required by law to receive equal pay from the same position in the same job, but most employers do not apply this to their workers. For example, a female surgeon receives a salary of 20-50k averagely, while a male surgeon receives a salary of 20-80k. We are aware that this is not the right behavior and we should warn employers near us about it. 

2. In most political parties, women do not have a very important position, so if we share this article to take into action to find solutions for this problem on an international website, we will grab people's attention related to this global problem. 

3. We had meetings with the Purple Certificate Program which is a non-governmental organization in our country. Purple Certificate Program provide lesson materials to stop gender inequalities in education. They give opportunities to teachers to extend their perspectives on inequality problems. They have contributed to our process a lot because we have learned a lot of information about what is gender equality and how we can deal with it from Ms. Nazlı and Ms. Berfin who manage the program within the scope of Sabancı University in İstanbul. We can work with non governmental organizations collaboratively. If we reach even one person, we can change a life.

Scan the QR code to see what we have done during our exhibition process!