As the world continues to grapple with the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19, the urgency of achieving gender equality — Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 has never been more evident.
Women, who have been nearly twice as likely to lose their jobs compared to men in the wake of the pandemic, face an alarming lack of policy measures addressing their economic insecurity. In addition, according to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, or UNDP, men and other groups are also facing increasing challenges, as “rigid gender norms can result in risky behavior resulting in violence, poor health, and lower life expectancy.”
Amid this complex landscape, the transformative power of gender equality and social inclusion, or GESI, echoes louder than ever. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, the potential benefits are compelling. Reducing gender-based discrimination through the right policy measures could spur a significant annual increase in the world's GDP growth rate, from the projected 0.03 to 0.6 percentage points by 2030.