Latest news with #SustainableDevelopmentGoal5
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Sakyadhita International Conference in Kuching champions role of women in Buddhist leadership
Indonesia's representative Lucy Salim (fifth right) receives the Sakyadhita flag from Kho (second right) while Wee (third right), Lekshe (fourth right), Suh (sixth right) and others look on. KUCHING (June 20): The 19th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women here carried the theme 'Navigating Change: Buddhist Women in Transition' – a message that resonates strongly in today's world of rapid cultural, societal, and spiritual transformation. Over the past five days, the conference has hosted meaningful discussions on resilience, adaptability, and empowerment, highlighting how Buddhist women are inspiring change and leading with compassion in diverse communities around the globe. 'These ideals resonate with us in Sarawak, where people of various ethnicities, cultures, and religious backgrounds live together in harmony. 'Our strength lies in mutual respect and inclusivity, values that are deeply rooted in our way of life. It is this spirit of understanding, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence that aligns closely with the aspirations of this conference. 'Sarawak proudly upholds the belief that every individual regardless of background has a role to play in shaping a more compassionate and equitable society,' said Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng at the conference's closing today. He noted that the principles upheld by Sakyadhita – bridging traditions, promoting non-violence, and building inclusive spiritual networks – mirror Sarawak's development goals. 'At the heart of this alignment is Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, which aims to ensure women's full and effective participation in all areas of life. 'Here in Sarawak, this global goal is reflected in our ongoing efforts to support women's leadership, expand access to education and opportunities, and encourage equitable representation in policy-making and community development. 'The work of Sakyadhita gives life and purpose to this goal in a deeply spiritual context, and we are honoured to witness how this vision is being realised worldwide,' he said. 'Let us remember that conferences like this are not only about the exchange of ideas, they are about building connections, engaging in introspection, and making a shared commitment to bring the lessons we've learned back to our homes, our temples, and our communities. 'I am confident that the dialogues held here in Kuching will leave a lasting imprint on your hearts and actions in the days to come,' he added. Present at the closing ceremony were Kuching Buddhist Society president Kho Kak Hee, who is event organising chairman, Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women co-founder Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women president Dr Sharon A Suh. Buddhist Women Kuching Sakyadhita International Conference wee hong seng
Economic Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Niti to map gender equality progress across districts
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India plans to undertake a district wise assessment of the progress on the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) pertaining to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Niti Aayog along with the ministry of women and child development, has undertaken a detailed analysis of each indicator and sub-indicator under SDG Goal 5, a senior government official told assessment report was initiated after the United Nations in its SDG Report 2024 pointed out major challenges that remain in India in achieving the goal of gender equality by World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, released on Thursday showed India slipped two places to 131 out of 148 countries with a gender parity score of 64.1. The idea is to see India's district-wise progress across indicators, pinpoint areas for improvement and outline interventions wherever needed to improve India's global ranking, the official said. "This will also help fast-track measures needed to achieve the goal of gender equality in the country by 2030," the official summary report on preliminary findings will be out soon and will be followed by a detailed analysis to help the government tweak policies and measures related to gender ranked 109th out of 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Report 2024 with the United Nations pointing out major challenges that remain in India in achieving the goal of gender equality by 2030."The score is moderately improving, insufficient to attain the goal," it on the SDG India Index, the country's score in 2023-24 remained unchanged at 48 compared to 2020-21 under Goal 5, suggesting slow or moderate progress. As per the Aayog's report, 13 states and one union territory have scored below the national average on SDG 5. These include Odisha, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh and six indicators under SDG 5 include ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation and eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriages and female genital it also includes recognizing and valuing unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, ensuring women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Niti to map gender equality progress across districts
India plans to undertake a district wise assessment of the progress on the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) pertaining to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Niti Aayog along with the ministry of women and child development, has undertaken a detailed analysis of each indicator and sub-indicator under SDG Goal 5, a senior government official told ET. The assessment report was initiated after the United Nations in its SDG Report 2024 pointed out major challenges that remain in India in achieving the goal of gender equality by 2030. The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, released on Thursday showed India slipped two places to 131 out of 148 countries with a gender parity score of 64.1. The idea is to see India's district-wise progress across indicators, pinpoint areas for improvement and outline interventions wherever needed to improve India's global ranking, the official said. "This will also help fast-track measures needed to achieve the goal of gender equality in the country by 2030," the official added. The summary report on preliminary findings will be out soon and will be followed by a detailed analysis to help the government tweak policies and measures related to gender equality. Live Events India ranked 109th out of 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Report 2024 with the United Nations pointing out major challenges that remain in India in achieving the goal of gender equality by 2030. "The score is moderately improving, insufficient to attain the goal," it said. Even on the SDG India Index, the country's score in 2023-24 remained unchanged at 48 compared to 2020-21 under Goal 5, suggesting slow or moderate progress. As per the Aayog's report, 13 states and one union territory have scored below the national average on SDG 5. These include Odisha, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh and Telangana. The six indicators under SDG 5 include ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation and eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriages and female genital mutilation. Besides, it also includes recognizing and valuing unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, ensuring women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
The Wire
07-06-2025
- General
- The Wire
Sustainable Development Cannot Be Achieved Without Gender Equality
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Live Wire Sustainable Development Cannot Be Achieved Without Gender Equality Reana Sachdeva 28 minutes ago Respecting women and ensuring their rights is not merely a moral imperative; it strategically advances efforts towards sustainable development Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now The interconnection between gender equality and sustainable development objectives (SDGs) is increasingly recognised as a fundamental prerequisite for achieving global development progress worldwide. As per United Nations data, women earn 23% less than men globally, on average. They also spend three times the number of hours performing domestic and care work in comparison to their male counterparts. Gender equality transcends mere humanitarian considerations and is a fundamental catalyst for economic growth and environmental sustainability. As per data published by the United Nations in 2023, 54% of countries still do not have laws to address key areas of gender equality, including equal marriage and divorce rights. As the United Nations approaches the 2030 Agenda, promoting women's rights emerges as a cross-cutting issue that can enhance both environmental and economic outcomes worldwide. Gender equality is explicitly articulated in the objective of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and ensure their full participation in political, economic, and public life. The advancement of women's rights is intrinsically linked to improved health outcomes, enhanced economic services, and effective environmental management. Consequently, it fosters the realisation of sustainable development across all sectors. Investing in women's capabilities can catalyse substantial economic growth. The realisation of women's rights catalyses pivotal social transformations, including enhanced educational outcomes, diminished poverty rates, and improved family health. Recognising women's reproductive rights and allowing access to health care, in particular maternal and reproductive health, is crucial to promote gender equality. Recent data records reveal that only 56% of women between the ages of 15-49 have autonomy over decisions about their sexual and reproductive choices. Furthermore, when women have power, they are more likely to participate in the workforce, thus contributing to economic productivity. As per data published by the United Nations in 2023, 61.4% of women of prime working age are in the workforce, the number being 90.6% for men. The intersection of gender equality and environmental sustainability is evident in the roles of women in the management of natural resources. Their involvement in these roles can lead to improved environmental outcomes. Women frequently assume the primary responsibility for managing natural resources, possessing invaluable knowledge and expertise in sustainable practices. Research suggests that promoting gender equality in agriculture can enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change, illustrating how the advancement of women's rights can establish positive feedback loops between gender equity, sustainability, and economic stability. Conversely, the adverse impact of climate change will be disproportionate for women and girls, as globally 158 million (16 million more than the number of men and boys) of them may be pushed into poverty and also be impacted by food insecurity resulting from climate change. Food insecurity is projected to increase by a staggering 236 million more women and girls, compared to 131 million more men and boys. The effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda necessitates a critical examination of the socio-political power dynamics. Addressing systemic inequalities in the allocation of resources through policy making that is rooted in the politics of redistribution can catalyse transformative change within communities and facilitate increased participation of women in decision-making processes. Legislation and governance models that prioritise inclusive, intersectional, gender-sensitive approaches can empower women to assume active roles in environmental management and economic development. In numerous regions, particularly those experiencing economic instability or environmental vulnerability, women's rights are frequently safeguarded inadequately. Consequently, women, particularly those from marginalised communities, bear the disproportionate burden of any conflict or destabilising event. By adopting an approach attuned to emphasising gender equity within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nations can harness the potential of women to address climate change and foster economic innovation. In conclusion, the interconnection between gender equality and the Sustainable Development objectives has become increasingly complex and multifaceted. Respecting women and ensuring their rights is not merely a moral imperative; it strategically advances efforts towards sustainable development. By fostering an inclusive environment that enhances women's voice, power and agency to enable their contribution to political and economic life, countries can simultaneously drive economic growth and cultivate environmental resilience, ultimately creating a sustainable future for all. To achieve this vision, global political initiatives are necessary, underscoring the pivotal role of women as key agents in pursuing global sustainability. Through these measures, the framework established by the 2030 Agenda can transform global perspectives, demonstrating that the advancement of women's rights is, in fact, a catalyst for transformative change. Reana Sachdeva is a student at The British School, Delhi, and has a keen interest in the area of research around political science and international relations. Her website is The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Ali Khan Mahmudabad's Arrest Reveals the Political Capture of Women's Rights in India NWMI Protests Against Inclusion of M.J. Akbar in Operation Sindoor All-Party Delegation Women's Role in War Must Extend to Peace Watch | India Overtakes Japan as the Fourth-Largest Economy: Is the Excitement Justified? 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Kuwait Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait highlights women's rights gains 20 years after suffrage
UN lauds Kuwait's progress, urges further empowerment KUWAIT: Women across Kuwait marked twenty years since they secured full political rights on Thursday. Speaking at an event held the same day, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah recognized the milestone, highlighting the influence of Kuwaiti women across various fields. 'Kuwaiti women have proven themselves as vital pillars of national development, achieving success that has placed them at the forefront of progress and contribution,' she said during a forum titled 'Strategies to Support Kuwaiti Women in Line with Sustainable Development Goal 5,' held in collaboration with the UN office in Kuwait on Thursday. Today, Kuwaiti women make up 60 percent of the public sector workforce, 48 percent in the private sector, and 28 percent of leadership roles in state institutions, Al-Huwailah noted. In traditionally male-dominated sectors, they're also making strides—54 percent of employees at the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation are women, and 41 percent of leadership roles at the Central Bank of Kuwait are held by women. These gains haven't gone unnoticed. Kuwait's global ranking on the Women, Peace, and Security Index has risen to 62nd, and the gender gap has narrowed by ten points. Kuwait also became the first Gulf country to adopt the Women's Empowerment Principles in 2023, setting a new benchmark for the region. Laws amendments But progress isn't just about numbers. Al-Huwailah pointed to recent key legislative reforms that dismantled systemic injustice, including the recent repeal of Articles 153 and 182 of the Kuwaiti Penal Code. Article 153 had effectively legalized honor killings, allowing men to receive minimal sentences for murdering female relatives under the guise of 'protecting family honor.' Article 182 had let kidnappers, rapists included, walk free if they married their victims. The abolition of these laws was a turning point, aligning Kuwait's legal framework with constitutional guarantees of justice, equality and human dignity. Ghada Al-Taher, UN Resident Coordinator and Representative of the Secretary-General, emphasized that Kuwait's progress is being recognized internationally. During the 2025 Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the Human Rights Council commended the country for policies aimed at protecting women from violence, promoting economic independence, and expanding women's decision-making power. Education has become a powerful lever for transformation in Kuwait. According to UNESCO's 2024 data, Kuwait has nearly eradicated female illiteracy, with more women enrolling in STEM fields than ever before—positions that are vital to building a knowledge-driven economy. Women leaders In business, Kuwaiti women are reshaping the narrative. With state-backed initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, more women now lead successful ventures. Some have gained international recognition, including Dr Faiza Al-Kharafi, the first woman to lead a university in the Middle East, and Sara Akbar, who was instrumental in extinguishing Kuwait's oil well fires after liberation. Both have been named among Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, alongside others who continue to break ground in business, science, and public service. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to empower women with disabilities, with the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities pushing initiatives to integrate this group into the workforce and provide access to specialized support. Despite these gains, Al-Taher acknowledged that deep-rooted challenges remain. 'We can't ignore the societal barriers that still prevent women and girls from fully realizing their potential,' she said. 'Achieving full empowerment requires relentless commitment—not just from the state but from every sector.' The UN reaffirmed its pledge to support Kuwait in reviewing legislation, expanding women-focused programs, and driving initiatives that place women at the center of national development—steps crucial to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 and ensuring no woman or girl is left behind.
