Current:Home > StocksUN goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible because of biases against women, UN says-LoTradeCoin
UN goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible because of biases against women, UN says
View Date:2024-12-23 22:08:50
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible to attain because of deeply rooted biases against women around the world in heath, education, employment and the halls of power, the United Nations said in a report Thursday.
“The world is failing women and girls,” UN Women, the agency promoting gender equality, and the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in “The Gender Snapshot 2023” report.
According to the U.N.’s findings, “ active resistance to gender equality and chronic under-investment are key factors in slow progress and, in some cases, reversals of gains already made.” It said “unequal access to sexual and reproductive health, unequal political representation, economic disparities and a lack of legal protection, among other issues, prevent tangible progress.”
Assistant Secretary-General Maria-Francesca Spatolisano told a news conference launching the report that gender equality is becoming “an ever increasingly distant goal.” She pointed to recent setbacks for women and girls living in fragile and conflict-affected countries, the impact of climate change, and “active resistance to gender equality and chronic underinvestment” that are slowing and in some cases reversing progress.
The report assessing the progress for women in achieving the 17 U,N. goals for 2030 on issues ranging from poverty and education to climate change and human rights paints a grim picture of the gender gap, and the “lackluster commitment” globally to equality for women.
On a key goal of eradicating extreme poverty, the report said, one in every 10 women today, or 10.3%, lives on less than $2.15 a day – the extreme poverty level. If current trends continue, it said, 8% of the world’s female population, 342.4 women and girls, will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030, most in Sub-Saharan Africa.
While overall access to education is rising for girls and boys, the U.N. report said millions of girls never enter a classroom or complete their education, especially in conflict areas. The goal calls for every child to receive quality secondary school education, yet in Afghanistan, it said, the Taliban rulers have banned education for girls beyond elementary school.
“In 2023, up to 129 million girls and young women may be out of school globally,” the report said. “At current rates of progress, an estimated 110 million will remain out of school in 2030.”
As for the goal of decent work, the report said less than two-thirds of women aged 25 to 54 – 61.4% -- were in the labor force in 2022 compared to 90.6% of men, and the women were paid far less.
“In 2019, for each dollar men earned in labor income, women earned only 51 cents,” it said.
In jobs critical to the future in science, technology and innovation, the report said, “ongoing gender barriers limit women’s roles,” which is evident as the field of artificial intelligence takes off.
“In 2022, inventors listed on international patent applications were five times less likely to be female than male,” it said. “In 2020, women held only one in three research positions worldwide and only one in five science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs.”
And in getting seats at decision-making tables, the report said, globally women hold only 26.7% of parliamentary seats, 35.5% of local government seats, and only 28.2% of management positions at work.
As for the goal promoting peace, the report said, conflicts are escalating around the world and “a shocking 614 million women and girls lived in conflict-affected contexts in 2022, 50% higher than in 2017.”
The report by UN Women and ECOSOC warned that the continuing failure to make the achievement of gender equality a priority will put the achievement of all 17 goals “in peril.”
It called funding for programs promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women “inadequate, unpredictable and inconsistently distributed among countries,” saying between 2020-2021 this government aid amounted to “a mere 4% of total bilateral aid, a notable decrease from 5% in previous years.”
The report said an estimated $6.4 trillion per year is needed across 48 developing countries – covering nearly 70% of the population in developing countries -- to achieve gender equality in key areas including ending poverty and hunger and supporting more equal participation of women in society by 2030.
The report said an estimated $6.4 trillion per year is needed across 48 developing countries – covering nearly 70% of the population in developing countries -- to achieve gender equality in key areas including ending poverty and hunger and supporting more equal participation of women in society by 2030.
If government expenditures stay on their current trajectory, it said, there will be an annual shortfall of $360 billion – which the U.N. is appealing for.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Miami Marlins hiring Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as manager
- Ed Sheeran says he's breaking free from industry pressures with new album Autumn Variations: I don't care what people think
- In New York City, scuba divers’ passion for the sport becomes a mission to collect undersea litter
- Tropical Storm Philippe threatens flash floods Monday in Leeward Islands, forecasters say
- Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts
- As if You Can Resist These 21 Nasty Gal Fall Faves Under $50
- Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulls fire alarm ahead of House vote to fund government
- Polish opposition head Donald Tusk leads march to boost chances to unseat conservatives in election
- Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
- Celtics acquire All-Star guard Jrue Holiday in deal with Trail Blazers
Ranking
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul referee handled one of YouTuber's biggest fights
- Amber Alert issued for possibly abducted 9-year-old girl last seen at state park
- Why Spencer Pratt Doesn't Want Heidi Montag on Real Housewives (Unless Taylor Swift Is Involved)
- Lil Tay Makes Comeback After 5-Year Absence, One Month After Death Hoax
- Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
- Tim Wakefield, Red Sox World Series Champion Pitcher, Dead at 57
- 4 in stolen car flee attempted traffic stop, die in fiery Maryland crash, police say
- European Parliament president backs UN naming an envoy to help restart Cyprus peace talks
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
-
Decades-long search for Florida mom's killer ends with arrest of son's childhood football coach
-
Jake From State Farm Makes Taylor Swift Reference While Sitting With Travis Kelce's Mom at NFL Game
-
Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh region as 65,000 forcefully displaced
-
Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
-
Climate solutions are necessary. So we're dedicating a week to highlighting them
-
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed as Japan business confidence rises and US shutdown is averted
-
Pennsylvania governor’s voter registration change draws Trump’s ire in echo of 2020 election clashes