Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, but it also crucial to accelerating sustainable development. It has been proven time and again, that empowering women and girls has a multiplier effect, and helps drive up economic growth and development across the board.

Since 2000, UNDP, together with our UN partners and the rest of the global community, has made gender equality central to our work. We have seen remarkable progress since then. More girls are now in school compared to 15 years ago, and most regions have reached gender parity in primary education. Women now make up to 41 percent of paid workers outside of agriculture, compared to 35 percent in 1990

The SDGs aim to build on these achievements to ensure that there is an end to discrimination against women and girls everywhere. There are still huge inequalities in the labour market in some regions, with women systematically denied equal access to jobs. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office, all remain huge barriers.

TAffording women equal rights to economic resources such as land and property are vital targets to realizing this goal. So is ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health. Today there are more women in public office than ever before, but encouraging women leaders will help strengthen policies and legislation for greater gender equality.

The Targets

Everyone can help to make sure that we meet the Global Goals. Use these nine targets to create action for gender equality.


END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

END ALL VIOLENCE AGAINST AND EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

ELIMINATE FORCED MARRIAGES AND GENITAL MUTILATION

Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

VALUE UNPAID CARE AND PROMOTE SHARED DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate.

ENSURE FULL PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING

Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS

Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.

EQUAL RIGHTS TO ECONOMIC RESOURCES, PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws.

PROMOTE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.

ADOPT AND STRENGTHEN POLICIES AND ENFORCEABLE LEGISLATION FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.