Today, the importance of gender equality for sustainable development is widely recognised. The United Nations “Agenda 2030” illustrates this, as it refers to equal opportunity for both women and men to enable economic growth.

However, the concept of sustainable development did not always include the gender perspective. In this video, Christine Bigler explores why such a perspective is essential to reach sustainable goals.

“Global Goals cannot be achieved without ensuring gender equality and women’s empowerment”. This statement by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon refers to the adoption of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On September 25, 2015, 193 heads of state approved it by consensus with the resolution “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’‘.

The resolution constitutes the global reference framework for sustainable development until 2030. With its integrated balance of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda provides a progressive and inclusive roadmap to address global challenges.

The concept of sustainable development is not a new one. In the last decades, it has evolved to include gender or intra-generational equality. In light of the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations SDGs, the importance of gender equality and economic development is now widely recognised. It is necessary to address issues relevant to the labour market and sustainable development through a gender lens in order to effectively develop gender-sensitive policies and a comprehensive pathway to sustainable development.

First, watch the video in this step. Then go to the 2030 Agenda and look at Goals 5 and 8, and specifically at the subgoals. Explore how these subgoals integrate the gender aspect.

Finally, go to the summary in the next article step.

Related links

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda

Look into the Brundtland Report