ABOUT THE GOAL

Gender bias is undermining our social fabric and devalues all of us. It is not just a human rights issue; it is a tremendous waste of the world’s human potential. By denying women equal rights, we deny half the population a chance to live life at its fullest. Political, economic and social equality for women will benefit all the world’s citizens. Together we can eradicate prejudice and work for equal rights and respect for all.

Goal 5

Goal 5: Gender Equality

9 Targets

The specific, measurable commitments set under this goal. Each one turns a big ambition into something countries, companies and communities can track.

Our Targets
9

319 Events

Gatherings, campaigns and meetings that bring people together around this goal, from local community days to global summits.

Upcoming events
319

38 Publications

Reports, research and guides that explain the progress made so far and what still needs to change.

Our publications
38

1927 Actions

Everyday steps people around the world have taken for this goal. Small actions add up when millions of people take them together.

Take action
1,927

The targets

5.1
END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
5.2
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.
5.3
ELIMINATE FORCED MARRIAGES AND GENITAL MUTILATION
Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
5.4
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.
5.5
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.
5.6
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.
5.a
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.
5.b
PROMOTE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.
5.c
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.

How can you contribute to this goal


Action 01

Women earn 10 to 30 per cent less than men for the same work

Pay inequality persists everywhere. Voice your support for equal pay for equal work.

Photo: Bransby, David, photographer., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action01 / 07
Action 02

Find a Goal 5 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action02 / 07
Action 03

Be aware of gender stereotypes

Recognize them, avoid them and educate others about them.

Photo: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action03 / 07
Action 04

Stand up against harassment

Whenever you see or become aware of harassment, whether in the workplace, streets, home or the online space, raise your voice against it.

Photo: Gigi Ibrahim, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action04 / 07
Action 05

Find female mentors/leaders

Ensure that some of your role models or mentors are women. There’s a lot you can learn from women in positions of authority.

Photo: DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett. (Released), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action05 / 07
Action 06

Share the workload at home

Sharing domestic responsibilities ensures the work burden doesn’t fall only on one person and instills the value of gender equality and essential life skills in children.

Photo: Line Omey, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action06 / 07
Action 07

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Philipendula assumed (based on copyright cl, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action07 / 07

How can you contribute to this goal

0107

Keep scrolling to see each action

01
17

Women earn 10 to 30 per cent less than men for the same work

Pay inequality persists everywhere. Voice your support for equal pay for equal work.

Photo: Bransby, David, photographer., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
02
27

Find a Goal 5 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
03
37

Be aware of gender stereotypes

Recognize them, avoid them and educate others about them.

Photo: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
04
47

Stand up against harassment

Whenever you see or become aware of harassment, whether in the workplace, streets, home or the online space, raise your voice against it.

Photo: Gigi Ibrahim, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
05
57

Find female mentors/leaders

Ensure that some of your role models or mentors are women. There’s a lot you can learn from women in positions of authority.

Photo: DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett. (Released), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
06
67

Share the workload at home

Sharing domestic responsibilities ensures the work burden doesn’t fall only on one person and instills the value of gender equality and essential life skills in children.

Photo: Line Omey, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
07
77

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Philipendula assumed (based on copyright cl, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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The latest stories about Goal 5, Gender Equality, from news sources around the world.

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