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.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2024: Taking Action to End Gender-Based Violence

We Empower Challenge logo on purple background

On Wednesday 25th September 2024, the five 2024 WE Empower awardees will take part in the WE Empower SDG Challenge Pitch Night.  Hosted by fashion designer, author and philanthropist, Diane Von Furstenberg, at her NYC studio, Pitch Night is a unique opportunity for five WE Empower awardees to share their innovative stories and solutions on a global stage and this year, RELX’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Global Head of ESG, Márcia Balisciano will be joining the esteemed panel of judges.

2024’s International Day of Rural Women: A Global Call to Support Women in Rural Areas

Celebrated every year on October 15, International Day of Rural Women is a global event that recognizes the vital role of women in rural areas and brings awareness to the unique challenges they face. From farmers and entrepreneurs to community leaders, rural women play an essential part in sustaining communities and advancing economic development. This day highlights their contributions while advocating for greater equality and support.

We’re passionate about helping students learn more about STEM, and through our academic program we give students the opportunity to collaborate on STEM-related projects involving innovative technologies like data analytics, robotics and AI. Since 2011, we have partnered with a number of universities to sponsor research projects, internships, robotics teams, scholarships, and other educational programs that provide students with access to hands-on learning and real-world engineering experience.

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April.  This year’s theme "'My health, my right’ was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. 

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 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.
WE Empower awardees in a group with Pitch Night host Diane von Furstenberg
Launched in 2018, the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is a first-of-its-kind global competition for women entrepreneurs who are advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
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.

Pages