The SDGs goal seeks to achieve gender equality by empowering women and girls. Women and girls make up 50% of the worlds population, and thus half of its potential, however gender inequality persists everywhere. Women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership  and women and girls continue to perform a disproportionate share of domestic unpaid work. Women are often expected to take on the primary care giving role when looking after children, which results in less career and further education opportunities, than their male counterparts.

Empowering women and promoting gender equality is crucial to accelerating sustainable development. Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls has a multiplier effect on all other development goals.