Women and sustainable development - Women’s empowerment is a key factor for achieving sustainable economic growth

Abstract

Women and girls make up more than half the world’s population and they are on the frontlines, often more deeply impacted than men and boys by poverty, climate change, food and nutrition insecurity, lack of healthcare system, and global economic and environmental crises. Strengthening women’s participating in political sphere is also a critical step towards empowerment of women. Women have a vital role in environment and development. Their full participation is therefore is essential to achieve sustainable development goals. Their contributions and leadership are central to finding a solution. With the new global 2030 roadmap and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approved by UN Member States on 25 September 2015, we take a look at how women are affected by SDGs, as well as how women and girls can and will be key to achieving these goals. 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.