Gender equality and women's empowerment

Gender equality and women's empowerment play a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. Acknowledging the significance of SDG 5, which explicitly targets gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, it's worth noting that these elements are fundamentally tied to all 17 goals. Each goal, whether it pertains to poverty eradication, quality education, or climate action, is directly or indirectly affected by gender dynamics. Gender inequality inhibits economic growth (SDG 8) by depriving economies of the full potential of half its population, thereby exacerbating poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2). Additionally, gender-based discrimination can limit access to quality education (SDG 4) and decent work (SDG 8) for women and girls, further perpetuating inequality. In health matters, gender roles and stereotypes often result in disparities in healthcare access and outcomes (SDG 3). With respect to environmental sustainability (SDGs 13, 14, and 15), women, particularly those in rural areas, bear the brunt of climate change impacts, but they also hold unique knowledge and skills crucial for mitigation and adaptation strategies. Likewise, women's underrepresentation in decision-making roles limits their influence on peace and justice (SDG 16) and partnerships for goals (SDG 17). Thus, achieving gender equality isn't only about justice for women and girls, but also about progress on every SDG. Women's empowerment creates a multiplier effect that boosts economic growth and promotes sustainable development, thereby setting a direct path towards achieving the SDGs. Encouragingly, concerted efforts worldwide are recognizing and amplifying women's roles in society, placing gender equality and women's empowerment at the heart of the SDGs. Such advancements signify a positive stride towards a balanced and equitable world.

This primary research Article looks at the effects of being able to access community perinatal mental health teams compared with living in regions where those teams were not available. The study found that, among women with a pre-existing mental disorder, the availability of community perinatal mental health teams reduced the post-natal risk of acute relapse and increased the use of secondary mental health care.
Elsevier,

The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, Volume 8, March 2024

Adolescent girls are not receiving the support they need to thrive and are continuously disadvantaged by inattention and broad inequalities that limit their tremendous potential. Their potential is enormous—as is their belief in a better future.
This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme Invest in women: Accelerate progress. In this special episode of RELX's "The World We Want" series Dr Márcia Balisciano, Chief Sustainability Officer, is joined by guests Andrea "Andy" Blair, Co-Founder and President of New Zealand based geothermal research and innovation company, Upflow and Susan Blanchet, Founder and CEO of Origen Air. Both Andy and Susan are two of the 2023 awardees of the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge.
To mark International Women's Day 2024, Elsevier have curated and made freely available a special collection of journal articles and book chapters to advance knowledge and understanding relating to SDG 5: Gender Equality. The special collection features research relating to inclusion and the empowerment of women and girls across a broad range of disciplines and contexts including health, climate change, natural disasters, biodiversity, smart cities, sustainable development and leadership.
In this special edition of "The World We Want," Márcia Balisciano interviews Diana Mbogo, the Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers in Tanzania. Diana, an award-winning entrepreneur, focuses on renewable energy solutions and is currently implementing the Sardine Fishing Industry Business Project. The project aims to transition the traditional, environmentally harmful methods of the sardine fishing industry toward more sustainable practices using solar drying facilities. Diana emphasises the critical connection between access to energy, particularly for women, and the broader goal of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Throughout the discussion, Diana shares her journey, challenges, and the transformative impact of her work on communities, highlighting the positive changes brought about by her innovative approach to the sardine industry.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Judy Kuriansky, an award-wining journalist, clinical psychologist, lecturer, and United Nations NGO representative. They discuss sustainable development and global goals for education, health, peace, and gender equality.

The International Women's Day "World We Want" Podcast Collection features the latest episodes in the RELX podcast series featuring renowned female leaders from across the globe.

Elsevier,

The Lancet, 2024, ISSN 0140-6736, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02799-X.

This paper is about empowering women during the menopause and argues that an over-simplified narrative of menopause as a health problem to be solved by replacing hormones is not based on evidence and deflects attention from the need for substantial societal shifts in how menopause, and midlife/older women in general, are viewed and treated around the world.
Elsevier,

The Lancet, 2024, ISSN 0140-6736, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02800-3.

This paper is about premature menopause (before the age of 40) and early menopause (40-44) and highlights the specific research and care needed by women experiencing premature or early menopause.
Elsevier,

The Lancet, 2024, ISSN 0140-6736,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02801-5.

This article is about mental health and menopause and questions the assumption that menopause always causes mental health problems whilst also identifying specific at-risk groups who may need additional support.

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