2022 SDG gender index shows slow progress on equality

A recent report by the Equal Measures 2030 partnership has highlighted the slow progress towards achieving gender equality globally. The report, known as the SDG Gender Index, is published every two years to track the progress made in achieving Sustainable Development Goal number five - gender equality. According to the report, less than 25% of countries are making fast progress towards this goal, raising concerns about the possibility of meeting the 2030 deadline. Memory Kachambwa, the Executive Director at FEMNET, shed light on the findings of the report during a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Kachambwa emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the challenges in achieving gender equality, leading to a significant deterioration in development indicators. She noted that the current pace of progress is insufficient to reach the targets set by the SDGs. Despite some regions showing signs of improvement in women's leadership, there is still a long way to go in addressing gender disparities. The report indicated that around three billion girls and women worldwide live in countries with poor gender equality scores, underscoring the urgent need for action. In Africa, there have been notable advancements in women's political representation, with countries like Rwanda boasting over 60% of women in parliament. However, when it comes to key indicators like well-being, economic empowerment, and healthcare, many countries are struggling to implement effective policies and allocate adequate resources. Kachambwa highlighted the importance of the Generation Equality Forum and its action coalitions, which provide specific recommendations for countries to promote gender equality through legislation, norm-shifting, and accountability mechanisms. While some countries like Senegal, South Africa, and Ghana have made progress in certain areas, achieving comprehensive gender equality remains a complex challenge. Kachambwa acknowledged the efforts of the women's movement in advocating for gender equality since the Beijing Platform for Action and expressed optimism about the potential for change through initiatives like the Generation Equality Forum. Despite the existing challenges, she believes that continued advocacy and collective action can drive meaningful progress towards gender equality. With less than a decade left to achieve the SDG targets, stakeholders worldwide are urged to accelerate efforts and prioritize gender equality in policymaking and resource allocation.