My question today is, what are you as the reader of this post doing to contributes towards gender equality in your own environment, at home, at work, at church, at school, in your community, in your country, in your region as in SADC, in Africa and the World? I am asking this question because each baby steps to realize this noble goal of gender equality will subsequently contribute to the overall outcome of the targeted measure.
From my side, as an EMAS Business School DBA student, I am contributing to the UN SDG or Global Goal number 5 - that of Gender Equality by furthering it through information sharing and the need for a call to action by us call. This may also be a baby step contribution, but eventually, one or two people who may ready this post may hopefully make it happen. We have a moral responsiblity towards achieving all UN SDG goals, but for the purposes of this article, the Gender Equality Goal.
It's a standing rule when writing these related reports that the author as an EMAS Business School Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) student,has to first affairm and pledge her support towards the promotion of the United Nations Development Goals. And through my varsity, the EMAS Businses School, I have become a staunch promoter of the UN SDGs.
Gender equality is the goal, while gender neutrality and gender equity are practices and ways of thinking that help in achieving the goal. Gender parity, which is used to measure gender balance in a given situation, can aid in achieving gender equality but is not the goal in and of itself. Gender equality is more than equal representation, it is strongly tied to women's rights, and often requires policy changes. As of 2017, the global movement for gender equality has not incorporated the proposition of genders besides women and men, or gender identities outside of the gender binary.
Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5 or Global Goal 5) concerns gender equality and is fifth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording of SDG 5 is "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls".[1] Progress towards targets is measured by indicators. The 17 SDGs recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. A system thinking approach is the base for global sustainability.[2]
SDG 5 has nine targets and 14 indicators. Six of the targets are "outcome-oriented": ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere; ending violence and exploitation of women and girls; eliminating harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation; increasing value of unpaid care and promoting shared domestic responsibilities; ensuring full participation of women in leadership and decision-making; and ensuring access to universal reproductive rights and health. The three "means of achieving" targets are: fostering equal rights to economic resources, property ownership and financial services for women; promoting empowerment of women through technology; and adopting, strengthening policies and enforcing legislation for gender equality.[3]
Through the pledge to "Leave No One Behind", countries have committed to fast-track progress for those furthest behind, first.[4]: 54 SDG 5 aims to grant women and girls equal rights, opportunities to live free without discrimination including workplace discrimination or any violence. This is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected women as they are more vulnerable and have reduced access to treatment.[5] Evidence shows there has been an increase in violence against women during the pandemic.[6]
Let's adopt the attitude of not waiting for the next person or our governments or civil societis or any other organized bodies to do something to advance gender equality, - but start to act now. your action will mean so much for your community in terms of bringing the change that we all need in terms of gender parity and related set targets..
I thefore, thank my Business School, EMAS for having introduced this initiative of supporting the UN SDGs among students and graduates and its partners. Let's support the successful implementation of UN SDGs in our own communities and countries, it's our own responsibility. No one else will advance gender equality in our own houselds, but you and me. Yes, government and other international organization or non-profit making institutions can come on board, but that should be a plus - such help can already find us on the way.
As a way to remind you the reader of the 17 UN SDGs, I am again sharing those as lifted from the Wikipedia page.
(1) No Poverty, (2) Zero Hunger, (3) Good Health and Well-being, (4) Quality Education, (5) Gender Equality, (6) Clean Water and Sanitation, (7) Affordable and Clean Energy, (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (10) Reducing Inequality, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production, (13) Climate Action, (14) Life Below Water, (15) Life On Land, (16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, (17) Partnerships for the Goals
Author: Menesiah N Muinjo
EMAS Busines School DBA student
Disclaimer: This piece has been written as part of my EMAS Business School DBA students educational actities regulation orders.
