Reducing Inequalities Through Targeted Policies
- Imagine a world where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.
- This vision is at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequality Within and Among Countries.
- Except for SDGs Framework, inequalities are reduced by emancipation (cultural change) and empowerment which are policies based on providing individuals or groups with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to gain control over their lives and live up to their potential.
Empowering Women: Opportunities for the Half of the Humankind
Education: Creating Basis for Equality
- Globally there has been significant progress towards achieving gender equality in education, especially in the context of primary and secondary schools.
- However, the current state of gender equality in education varies significantly between high-income and low-income countries.
In High-Income Countries:
- Access and Enrollment: Girls and boys have equal access to education at all levels. In many HICs, female enrollment in higher education often exceeds that of males.
- Field of Study: While women are well-represented in fields like health and education, they are still underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
- In countries like Sweden and Norway, girls generally outperform boys in academic performance, and women constitute a significant percentage of university graduates.
In Low-Income Countries:
- Access and Enrollment: Many girls face barriers to basic education, such as poverty, cultural norms, early marriage, and lack of sanitation facilities in schools. In some regions, girls are at a disadvantage compared to boys and the female drop-out rate is higher among teenage girls.
- Field of Study: Girls may pursue traditional fields, with less representation in higher-paying, traditionally male-dominated sectors.
- In countries like Afghanistan and Niger, significant gaps in girls' education persist. For instance, in Afghanistan, the Taliban's restrictions have severely limited girls' access to education.
Healthcare: Decreasing Vulnerability and Increasing Safety
- Access to reproductive health services is essential for women's empowerment.
- This includes:
- Reducing Maternal Mortality: Ensuring safe childbirth and prenatal care.
- Family Planning: Empowering women to make choices about their reproductive health.
- Addressing Gender-Based Violence: Providing support and healthcare for survivors.
- Rwanda has implemented community health programs that focus on maternal and child health, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates.
Economic Activity: Using the Full Potential of Societies for Growth
- Women's economic participation is a key driver of development.
- Policies that support women in the workforce include:
- Activity on Labor Market: Providing women with opportunities to participate in formal economic activities.
- Equal Pay: Ensuring women receive fair wages for their work.
- Access to Credit: Providing financial resources for women entrepreneurs.
