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What is the millennium development goal on gender equality all about? What is the millennium development goal on gender equality all about?
(about 2 months later)
What is MDG3?What is MDG3?
Launched as one of the eight millennium development goals, MDG3 calls for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It has one target: the elimination of gender disparity in primary, secondary and tertiary education by 2015 (an interim deadline of 2005 for primary and secondary schooling was missed). Progress on the goal is tracked by the ratio of girls to boys in class, the share of women in paid employment in sectors other than agriculture, and the proportion of female MPs in national parliaments.Launched as one of the eight millennium development goals, MDG3 calls for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It has one target: the elimination of gender disparity in primary, secondary and tertiary education by 2015 (an interim deadline of 2005 for primary and secondary schooling was missed). Progress on the goal is tracked by the ratio of girls to boys in class, the share of women in paid employment in sectors other than agriculture, and the proportion of female MPs in national parliaments.
Will the goal be met?Will the goal be met?
The goal has promoted gender equality globally, and is likely to have empowered some women. In that sense, it has served a purpose. But the target to end gender disparity in education will not be met by the end of 2015. And while there have been improvements in the share of women in paid employment, and the number of female MPs has increased, it is safe to say the achievements have been far from transformative for women.The goal has promoted gender equality globally, and is likely to have empowered some women. In that sense, it has served a purpose. But the target to end gender disparity in education will not be met by the end of 2015. And while there have been improvements in the share of women in paid employment, and the number of female MPs has increased, it is safe to say the achievements have been far from transformative for women.
Parity in education at primary level has almost been attained, but there is still some way to go in secondary and tertiary education.Parity in education at primary level has almost been attained, but there is still some way to go in secondary and tertiary education.
Related: World leaders pledge to achieve gender equality by 2030 | Liz FordRelated: World leaders pledge to achieve gender equality by 2030 | Liz Ford
South Asia has made the greatest gains in enrolling more girls into school. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest gender parity rates in primary education, but has had big gains in countries including Sierra Leone, Senegal, Chad and Burkina Faso.South Asia has made the greatest gains in enrolling more girls into school. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest gender parity rates in primary education, but has had big gains in countries including Sierra Leone, Senegal, Chad and Burkina Faso.
In secondary education, central Asia, northern Africa, south-east and east Asia have achieved gender parity. But, in sub-Saharan Africa, western Asia and southern Asia, boys still significantly outnumber girls in class. Conversely, gender disparity in Latin America and the Caribbean favours girls.In secondary education, central Asia, northern Africa, south-east and east Asia have achieved gender parity. But, in sub-Saharan Africa, western Asia and southern Asia, boys still significantly outnumber girls in class. Conversely, gender disparity in Latin America and the Caribbean favours girls.
Despite a significant step forward, gender disparity in tertiary education is still a huge global problem.Despite a significant step forward, gender disparity in tertiary education is still a huge global problem.
On the work front, since 1990, the percentage of women employed in non-agricultural settings has increased, from a global share of 35% in 1990 to 40% in 2012. These increases are evident in all regions, with sub-Saharan Africa showing the most impressive gains.On the work front, since 1990, the percentage of women employed in non-agricultural settings has increased, from a global share of 35% in 1990 to 40% in 2012. These increases are evident in all regions, with sub-Saharan Africa showing the most impressive gains.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the percentage of female MPs has doubled over the past 20 years, with more women taking seats in almost 90% of the 174 countries for which data was available. Rwanda has the most female lawmakers, with 64%, while 13 countries have 40% or more women occupying seats in the lower houses of parliament, and, as of 2014, in 46 countries more than 30% of MPs were women. Roughly 715 women now hold ministerial posts.According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the percentage of female MPs has doubled over the past 20 years, with more women taking seats in almost 90% of the 174 countries for which data was available. Rwanda has the most female lawmakers, with 64%, while 13 countries have 40% or more women occupying seats in the lower houses of parliament, and, as of 2014, in 46 countries more than 30% of MPs were women. Roughly 715 women now hold ministerial posts.
Comparatively, however, the figures offer little to celebrate. Globally, women still occupy less than a quarter of seats in parliament (the percentage has risen from 11.3% in 1995 to 22.1% in 2015), and only 17% of all government ministerial posts. UN Women says that, given the slow pace of progress since the MDGs were adopted, it will be another 40 years before gender parity is achieved in parliament.Comparatively, however, the figures offer little to celebrate. Globally, women still occupy less than a quarter of seats in parliament (the percentage has risen from 11.3% in 1995 to 22.1% in 2015), and only 17% of all government ministerial posts. UN Women says that, given the slow pace of progress since the MDGs were adopted, it will be another 40 years before gender parity is achieved in parliament.
Just about all the issues needed to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment were left out of MDG3Just about all the issues needed to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment were left out of MDG3
Which issues weren’t addressed in MDG3?Which issues weren’t addressed in MDG3?
Just about all the issues needed to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment were left out of MDG3. But then the goal did keep things loose by only calling on leaders to promote equality rather than actually realise it.Just about all the issues needed to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment were left out of MDG3. But then the goal did keep things loose by only calling on leaders to promote equality rather than actually realise it.
On the plus side, other MDGs – such as numbers two and five, on education and maternal health – did have targets that were geared towards gender equality. And a target in goal number one made reference to women’s role in the job market.On the plus side, other MDGs – such as numbers two and five, on education and maternal health – did have targets that were geared towards gender equality. And a target in goal number one made reference to women’s role in the job market.
But many key issues were overlooked by MDG3, including: eliminating violence against women; recognising the unpaid burden of care work that falls disproportionately on women; women’s limited access to assets and resources, such as land; protecting women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights; ending harmful traditional practices, such as early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation; and the vital role women play in peace and conflict reconciliation.But many key issues were overlooked by MDG3, including: eliminating violence against women; recognising the unpaid burden of care work that falls disproportionately on women; women’s limited access to assets and resources, such as land; protecting women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights; ending harmful traditional practices, such as early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation; and the vital role women play in peace and conflict reconciliation.
The goal also failed to challenge discriminatory laws and constitutions that endorse the view that men are superior to women, and did not specifically mention lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.The goal also failed to challenge discriminatory laws and constitutions that endorse the view that men are superior to women, and did not specifically mention lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.
Why were LGBT rights missed out? Why were these issues missed out?
Good question. None of these are easy topics to get governments to sign off but, by 2000, four world conferences on women had made progress.Good question. None of these are easy topics to get governments to sign off but, by 2000, four world conferences on women had made progress.
Held in Mexico, Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing, the conferences clearly highlighted the issues that needed to be addressed for gender equality and women’s empowerment to be realised. Declarations from each were signed by the majority of UN member states.Held in Mexico, Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing, the conferences clearly highlighted the issues that needed to be addressed for gender equality and women’s empowerment to be realised. Declarations from each were signed by the majority of UN member states.
The fourth world conference in Beijing, in 1995, which is regarded as the blueprint for women’s empowerment, was signed by 189 governments, the same number that signed the Millennium Declaration, which paved the way for the goals, five years later.The fourth world conference in Beijing, in 1995, which is regarded as the blueprint for women’s empowerment, was signed by 189 governments, the same number that signed the Millennium Declaration, which paved the way for the goals, five years later.
How does MDG3 translate to the sustainable development goals?How does MDG3 translate to the sustainable development goals?
SDG5 is the one to watch specifically on women’s empowerment. Unlike its predecessor, the goal calls on governments to achieve, rather than just promote, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.SDG5 is the one to watch specifically on women’s empowerment. Unlike its predecessor, the goal calls on governments to achieve, rather than just promote, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Proposed targets include ending violence, eliminating harmful practices, recognising the value of unpaid care, ensuring that women have full participation – and equal opportunities – in decision-making, and calling for reforms to give women equal access to economic resources. There is also a target to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, but the absence of the phrase “sexual rights” highlights ongoing unease around LGBT rights.Proposed targets include ending violence, eliminating harmful practices, recognising the value of unpaid care, ensuring that women have full participation – and equal opportunities – in decision-making, and calling for reforms to give women equal access to economic resources. There is also a target to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, but the absence of the phrase “sexual rights” highlights ongoing unease around LGBT rights.
There are also specific mentions of women’s empowerment in other SDGs. Goal three, for instance – to ensure healthy lives – proposes a target on universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning. Goal six highlights the needs of women and girls in improving sanitation, while goal eight calls for decent work for all women and men.There are also specific mentions of women’s empowerment in other SDGs. Goal three, for instance – to ensure healthy lives – proposes a target on universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning. Goal six highlights the needs of women and girls in improving sanitation, while goal eight calls for decent work for all women and men.
While the SDGs are broadly welcomed, the Women’s Major Group at the UN would have liked to see stronger wording in the goals in relation to the protection of sexual and reproductive rights, women’s unpaid care work, and their role in peace and security. The group also said the proposed goals would not transform the global economic system that deepens inequalities and discriminates against women. But most women’s right activists are relieved to have a standalone goal on empowerment with some strong targets.While the SDGs are broadly welcomed, the Women’s Major Group at the UN would have liked to see stronger wording in the goals in relation to the protection of sexual and reproductive rights, women’s unpaid care work, and their role in peace and security. The group also said the proposed goals would not transform the global economic system that deepens inequalities and discriminates against women. But most women’s right activists are relieved to have a standalone goal on empowerment with some strong targets.