The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

• 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030
• Focus on Goal 5: Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls
• Gender equality means equal opportunities and value for men and women

Current State and Statistics

• Women in politics: 2% to 4% participation in India vs. men (98% to 94%)
• India ranks low on gender equality among 144 countries
• Female sex ratio: 932 (overall), 922 (child level)
• Biological superiority of women vs. manmade challenges

Key Issues

• Early marriage: 21% of girls married before legal age
• Lack of awareness about family planning methods: only 51% of women
• High infant and maternal mortality rates due to malnutrition
• High rates of anemia among women (55%)
• Exposure to violence and underreporting (94% cases unregistered)
• Workplace inequality: lower labor market participation, 30% less pay
• Education disparity: dropout rates in higher education, especially technical fields

Government Initiatives and Schemes

• National and state-level programs to promote gender equality
• Legal provisions and acts to protect women's rights (e.g., Suraksha app, helplines)
• Financial assistance and support services for women in distress (e.g., Santwana Kendras, Swadhar Kendras)
• President's statement on enforcing strict laws against violence towards women

Positive Measures and Programs

• Incentives for girl child education and health (e.g., Bhagya Lakshmi scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao)
• Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) educating women on rights and schemes
• Healthcare support through Tai Card for pregnant women
• Economic empowerment schemes for marginalized groups, including sex workers and HIV-positive women
• Stree Shakti scheme: self-help groups for women's financial independence
• Distress centers for elderly women living alone
• Ujjwala scheme: promoting dignity and access to cooking gas for women

Cultural and Attitudinal Change

• Importance of shifting societal attitudes towards equality
• Encouraging partnerships and opportunities over subordination and oppression
• Song by Ricky Cage promoting gender equality

Conclusion

• Call to action: achieve gender equality by 2030
• Reflect on attitudes and support the change
• Importance of kindness and humanity
• Emphasis on men's role in supporting gender equality

Key Takeaways

• Both systemic and individual efforts are essential
• Gender equality is not just a women's issue, but a societal one
• Achieving Goal 5 requires collaborative work from all levels, from government to family units