Skills for SDG 5: Achieving gender equality

The United Nations reports that the world is not making sufficient progress toward attaining gender equality by 2030. On a global level, none of the 18 indicators have either met or come close to meeting the targets, with only one indicator on track. At the current pace, eradicating child marriage will take approximately 300 years, closing gaps in legal protection will require 286 years, and achieving equal representation in leadership will take 140 years. The urgency for more professionals to focus on SDG 5 is paramount. In addition to being a moral imperative, gender equality is also a catalyst for sustainable development. Evidence shows that societies benefit economically, socially, and culturally when women and girls are afforded equal opportunities. “In the aftermath of such disasters, women, especially young girls, face challenges accessing menstrual care and hygiene, compounding the difficulties they already encounter.” --— Yasmina Benslimane, founder, Politics4Her “True diversity, celebrated and embraced, can significantly enhance the intersectional approach necessary for designing and implementing effective initiatives within communities,” said Merit Hietanen, a senior gender adviser consultant at UN Women. This collective effort is not just about addressing a goal. It’s about creating a more equitable and prosperous world for everyone. We spoke with a variety of experts to better understand the challenges, solutions, and areas of focus individuals need to keep in mind in the pursuit of SDG 5. Cultivating intersectional approaches to problem-solving In a world grappling with the complex interplay of social and environmental challenges, addressing SDG 5 demands a nuanced and intersectional approach. As Jasmine Anouna, SDG goalkeeper with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and founder of the social impact newsletter The Bloom, said, “Intersectionality is about forming authentic connections and recognizing there isn’t a singular solution to social and environmental issues. It involves humility in acknowledging diverse approaches. The key is addressing issues simultaneously.” UN Environment reports that approximately 80% of individuals displaced by climate change are women. Traditional gender roles expose women as primary caregivers and providers of food and water, rendering them more vulnerable to the impacts of climate-related disasters, explained Yasmina Benslimane, founder of Politics4Her, who was also recently recognized by Forbes on its 30 Under 30 list of Puerto Rican change-makers. “In the aftermath of such disasters, women, especially young girls, face challenges accessing menstrual care and hygiene, compounding the difficulties they already encounter,” said Benslimane. Benslimane also shed light on the economic instability caused by climate-induced events, which disproportionately affect girls and lead to increased dropout rates from school and early marriages. In response, Politics4Her is launching the Rising HERizons project to empower young women in the Southwest Asia and North Africa, or SWANA, region to address climate challenges and gender inequality. The project focuses on capacity-building and prioritizes political engagement to foster inclusive policies and decision-making processes. Gender-transformative education While strides toward gender equality in education have been made globally, low-income countries still grapple with significant disparities. In these countries, girls’ primary school enrollment is 78%, lagging behind the world average of 88%, and only 31% in secondary school compared to the global average of 66%, according to the World Bank. Likewise, as of 2023, women still only comprise 28% of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, workforce globally. This highlights not only education gaps but also a need to challenge societal norms and power structures that perpetuate gender inequalities in educational attainment. Gender transformative education, or GTE, as defined by UNICEF, strives to leverage every facet of the educational system to advance gender equality. “Unlike traditional education, GTE goes beyond integrating women into existing structures; it aims to dismantle deeply rooted expectations about "normal" behavior for different genders,” said Benslimane. The core focus is on disrupting power dynamics, reimagining gender norms and binaries, and fostering critical awareness regarding the fundamental causes of inequality and systems of oppression. The aim is to instigate a profound transformation in how we perceive and address gender-related issues while “promoting a culture of equality that extends beyond the classroom,” explains Benslimane. Beyond ‘meaningful’ youth engagement In the global discourse on youth engagement, the voices of young women and girls from conflict areas often remain unheard. According to Benslimane, merely advocating for "meaningful youth engagement" falls short if “it does not include young people in all their diversity." In her perspective, engagement should embrace a broader spectrum of voices, especially those from regions facing conflict, grappling with the refugee crisis, or displaced due to climate change. To address this disparity, she suggests choosing event locations that are more affordable and accessible, particularly in regions such as the global south. Restructuring the process of participation to make it less complicated and more accessible for young people would also be helpful, Benslimane said. Finding roles that leverage unique skills Making a substantial impact in SDG 5 involves aligning passion with action. “Remember that the personal is political, so find something that ignites fire within you. It could be anything that makes you feel strongly. Learn a lot about it and tell others why it matters,” said Benslimane. She also advised aspiring professionals to “work with diverse organizations that are already doing things for that cause, give your time and skills to make a bigger impact.” Valentina Murace, a career development and talent management consultant at the United Nations Population Fund, illustrated diverse career opportunities in the field of gender equality, each with different focuses and responsibilities. “NGOs offering positions that may include project management, research, advocacy, and community engagement. International organizations like the U.N. offer roles in policy development, program management, and advocacy on a global scale,” she said. Murace also highlights the role of corporations, which contribute to gender equality through roles in diversity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility, and human resources, driving cultural change within the corporate sector and influencing industry standards. Government agencies, she says, also play a pivotal role by recruiting for positions in policy development, implementation, and monitoring. In academia and research, Murace highlights that professionals actively work toward promoting SDG 5 by studying gender issues, providing data-driven insights, and developing solutions. Building transferable skills For those looking to transition careers, flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to the cause are essential, says Murace, in addition to identifying and refining transferable skills like project management, data analysis, communication, and advocacy. Building strong communication skills allows professionals to work effectively with diverse populations while understanding the nuances of different cultural contexts, Murace says. Gender analysis enables professionals to understand the complexities of social structures and ensures that efforts toward equality are comprehensive and impactful. Hietanen believes all professionals in the sector must engage in deep self-reflection on the privileges and power positions they hold. This self-awareness is key to understanding and dismantling systems of oppression that negatively impact individuals within the sector, she says. Recommended resources The Bloom is a newsletter featuring social impact jobs, resources, and funding opportunities. The WILD Network supports women and companies in the global development sector to increase their influence and build inclusive cultures. Politics4Her is a youth-led platform advocating for the inclusive involvement of young women and girls in politics, civil society, and decision-making. We Belong Europe showcases stories of women from underrepresented backgrounds in positions of leadership in the public and private sectors. Their Secret Sauce dives into the experiences of diverse women leaders across industries. For courses, Benslimane recommends exploring UNGEI, UNICEF’s Gender Transformative Education Course, and this U.N. course on the intersection of climate and gender. There are also short courses on migration and using data to end violence against women that she highlights. Are you actively looking for a job? Or are you just passively open to new opportunities? Either way, don’t forget to update your Devex profile now — hundreds of recruiters are searching for talent on a daily basis in our database of over 1 million global development professionals.