With only six years left before Agenda 2030, or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved, progress on SDG Goal 5 on gender equality remains off track. No single country has implemented all relevant laws to prohibit discrimination, prevent gender-based violence, uphold equal rights in marriage and divorce, guarantee equal pay, and provide full access to sexual and reproductive health. At this rate, gender parity in parliaments may not be reached before 2063. Accelerated progress on gender mainstreaming is needed for all SDGs. 

The 2024 gender snapshot produced by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs puts forward new data on gender equality trends and gaps. It finds that the world is still falling short on its commitments to women and girls. 

UNEP-DHI contributions

The UNEP-DHI Centre contributed to the 2024 gender snapshot conclusions on SDG 6, to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The report highlights how women are central to water collection and use, but marginalized in water management, plans and decisions. Data submitted by countries during the SDG 6.5.1 2023 monitoring round on degree of implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) demonstrates that only 27.4 per cent of countries reported successfully implementing gender-related measures under national water management frameworks. This accounts for a slight increase of 3.5 per cent compared to 2020. Additionally, an alarming 15 per cent of countries have not implemented any gender mainstreaming practices. 

To effectively promote gender mainstreaming in the water sector, more efforts need to be made towards turning policies into action. This requires earmarked funding, gender focal points in all relevant ministries, and clear and actionable plans backed by implementation and monitoring. 

Read more about the status of gender equality and women’s rights implementation through the SDGs in the full report.