Gender
Issues a Global Gender Perspectives: SDGs, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and G-20
Initiatives
*
Shaivya Pathak, New Delhi
**Dr.
Surendra Pathak, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Introduction
Gender issues have become central to discussions on global
human rights, social justice, and sustainable development. Despite significant
strides towards gender equality, economic opportunities, political
representation, education, and healthcare disparities persist worldwide.
Addressing these challenges is crucial not only for the well-being of women and
marginalised genders but also for the overall progress of societies. Through
initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global community
has committed to promoting gender equality and empowering all women and girls,
recognising that gender equality is foundational to achieving broader
development outcomes.[1]
The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United
Nations in 2015, include a specific goal dedicated to gender equality (SDG 5),
underscoring its importance as a standalone objective and a cross-cutting issue
influencing other goals. SDG 5 aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination,
violence, and harmful practices against women and girls while also ensuring
equal participation in leadership and decision-making.[2]
However, realising these targets requires a concerted global effort involving governments,
civil society, the private sector, and international organisations.
The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning
"The world is one family," offers a philosophical foundation for
approaching gender issues with a perspective of interconnectedness and
collective responsibility. Rooted in ancient Indian thought, this principle
advocates for the recognition of our shared humanity and the need to work
together for the common good. When applied to gender issues, Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam encourages a global outlook that transcends cultural and
national boundaries, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support in
addressing gender disparities. This holistic approach complements the goals of
the SDGs by promoting a vision of a more inclusive and equitable world.[3]
In this context, the G-20, representing the world's major
economies, is pivotal in advancing gender equality through its policies and
initiatives. As a global platform for economic cooperation, the G-20 can
influence and drive change on a significant scale. By integrating the
principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam with the strategic objectives of
the SDGs, the G-20 can help create a more inclusive global economy that
supports gender equality. This paper explores how these three frameworks—SDGs, Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam, and G-20 initiatives—intersect and can be leveraged to
address gender issues more effectively, contributing to transformative change
on a global scale.[4]
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Gender
Equality
The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015,
provide a comprehensive agenda for sustainable development, addressing a wide
range of social, economic, and environmental issues. Gender equality is a
cross-cutting theme that intersects with all 17 SDGs.[5]
Several specific goals directly address gender issues, including:
- SDG 5: Gender Equality: This goal aims to
achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. It includes
targets related to women's participation in political and economic
decision-making, education, health, and legal rights.6
- SDG 4: Quality
Education:
Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all is crucial for
gender equality. This goal emphasises the importance of gender-sensitive
education and addressing gender disparities.[6]
- SDG 8: Decent Work and
Economic Growth:
Promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all,
including women, is essential for gender equality. This goal aims to
reduce the gender pay gap and promote women's economic empowerment.
- SDG 3: Good Health and
Well-being:
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages is essential
for gender equality. This goal includes targets related to maternal and
child health, reproductive health, and addressing gender-based violence.
Gender Issues and the G-20
Gender
inequality remains a pervasive challenge worldwide, affecting women and girls
in various aspects of their lives. The G-20, as a forum representing a
significant portion of the global population and economy, has a crucial role in
addressing this issue. By promoting gender equality, the G-20 can contribute to
sustainable development, economic growth, and social justice. Key gender issues
that the G-20 has been addressing include:
1. Economic Empowerment
- Bridging the Gender Pay
Gap: This
refers to the wage disparity between men and women for the same work. The gender pay gap is the difference between men's and
women's average earnings in the workforce. Despite attempts to narrow the
gap, women still
earn 16% less than men.[7]
The gender pay gap affects women's earning potential and long-term financial
stability, leading to a significant difference in retirement benefits
compared to men. The pay gap varies by industry, location, ethnicity, age,
motherhood status and education level, with some groups experiencing a
much wider gap than others.[8]
The G-20 has been working to implement policies and
initiatives that promote equal pay, such as mandatory pay equity reporting and
gender-neutral job evaluation systems.
- Promoting Women's
Entrepreneurship: SDG
Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
G20 EMPOWER 2023 will pursue women's empowerment under SDG Goal 5 as an
overarching priority through the G20 work streams. To that end, the focus
area that has been identified is Women's Entrepreneurship: A Win-Win for
Equity and Economy. To address women entrepreneurs' unique barriers, a multipronged
approach is envisaged through mentoring and capacity building, engendering
markets and financing, scaling up innovations and adopting global best
practices.
The G-20 has recognised the importance of women's
entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth. Initiatives include providing
access to financing, training, and mentorship programs for women-owned
businesses.[9]
- Ensuring Equal Access
to Financial Services: Financial
literacy is critical in advancing gender equality. By empowering women
with financial knowledge, society can challenge traditional gender roles
and promote equal opportunities in the workforce and entrepreneurial
ventures. Educated women are better positioned to advocate for their
rights and contribute to economic development. Financial inclusion is
crucial for women's economic empowerment.
The G-20 has been working to expand women's access
to financial services, such as loans, savings accounts, and insurance, in
developing countries.[10]
2. Education and Training
- Promoting Girls'
Education: Many girls and
women cannot exercise their right to education due to gender inequality
and discriminatory practices. Poverty, early marriage, and gender-based
violence are just some of the reasons behind the high percentage of
out-of-school and illiterate girls and women globally.[11] Education is a
fundamental right and a powerful tool for women's empowerment.
The G-20 has been advocating for policies that
promote girls' education, including addressing gender-based violence in schools
and providing scholarships for girls from marginalised communities.[12]
- Enhancing Women's
Skills:
Investing in women's skills development is essential for economic
participation.
The G-20 has supported initiatives to provide women
with vocational training, technical skills, and digital literacy.
- Addressing Gender
Disparities in STEM Fields: Women
are underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) fields.
The G-20 has been promoting gender equality in STEM
education and careers, through initiatives such as mentorship programs and
scholarships for women in STEM.
3. Health and Well-being
- Ensuring Women's Access
to Healthcare: Quality
healthcare is essential for women's health and well-being. The G-20 has
been working to improve women's access to healthcare services, including
reproductive healthcare, maternal and child health, and non-communicable
diseases.
- Protecting Reproductive
Rights:
Reproductive rights are essential for women's autonomy and empowerment.
The G-20 has been advocating for policies that protect women's
reproductive rights, including access to contraception, safe abortion, and
maternal health care.[13]
- Addressing Domestic
Violence and Gender-Based Discrimination: Domestic violence and
gender-based discrimination are serious human rights issues that
disproportionately affect women. The G-20 has been working to prevent and
address domestic violence and gender-based discrimination through legal
reforms, awareness-raising campaigns, and support services for survivors.[14]
4. Political Participation
- Encouraging Women's
Representation in Decision-Making Bodies: Women's participation
in decision-making is essential for achieving gender equality. "The gender gap in
several aspects of public life in low and middle-income countries has
narrowed significantly. The global proportion of women national
parliamentarians – the most common measure of this – fell from 11.3% to
22% between 1995 and 2015. By 2011, women made up 40% of the formal labour
force and 27% of judges worldwide. Women are even starting to make inroads
into solidly male areas, such as the police force (9% by 2011) and the
boardroom, with women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies going from 0 in 1995
to 26 in 2015".[15]
The G-20 has promoted women's political
participation through initiatives such as quotas for women in elected positions
and training programs for women leaders.
- Promoting Women's
Leadership: Leadership
is essential for driving change and promoting gender equality. The G-20
has been working to encourage women's leadership through mentorship
programs, networking opportunities, and advocacy campaigns.[16]
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Gender Equality
The
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" principle aligns seamlessly with pursuing
gender equality. It emphasises the interconnectedness of all human beings,
regardless of gender, and underscores collective action's importance in
addressing global challenges. By adopting a holistic approach that recognises
the interdependence of nations and individuals, the G-20 can foster a more
equitable and inclusive world.[17]
Key
implications of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" for gender equality include:
Global
Solidarity: Global Solidarity recognises
that gender inequality is not confined to any country or region but is a
pervasive issue affecting societies worldwide. This perspective acknowledges
that the challenges women and marginalised genders face in one part of the
world are interconnected with those in other regions. For instance,
gender-based violence, pay gaps, and limited access to education or healthcare
are issues that resonate globally, albeit in varying degrees. Addressing these
issues requires international cooperation, where countries share knowledge,
resources, and strategies to combat gender inequality. Global solidarity also
means supporting international frameworks such as the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which aims to achieve
gender equality and empower all women and girls. Through initiatives like the
G-20 and global partnerships, nations can work together to create policies,
mobilise resources, and implement programs that address gender inequality at a
global scale. This collective action ensures no country is left behind in pursuing
gender equality, fostering a more just and equitable world.[18]
Inclusive
Development: Inclusive Development emphasises ensuring that development efforts actively include women and
girls, focusing on leaving no one behind. Historically, development programs
have often marginalised women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds,
by not fully considering their specific needs and challenges. Inclusive
development seeks to rectify this by ensuring that women and girls are integral
to all development initiatives, including equal access to education,
healthcare, economic opportunities, and political participation. When inclusive
development contributes to women's empowerment, allowing them to play a crucial
role in shaping their communities and economies. Inclusive development also
recognises the intersectionality of gender with other factors such as race,
class, and disability and works to address the compounded disadvantages that
result from these intersections. By prioritising inclusivity, development
efforts become more sustainable and equitable, contributing to a world where
all individuals, regardless of gender, can thrive.[19]
Cultural
Exchange: Cultural Exchange promotes gender equality by fostering understanding and respect among
different cultures. Gender roles and stereotypes are often deeply embedded in
cultural norms and traditions, which can perpetuate discrimination and
inequality. Through cultural exchange, individuals and communities can learn
from one another, challenging harmful stereotypes and broadening their
perspectives on gender. For example, cultural exchange programs focusing on
women's rights can highlight successful gender equality practices from around
the world, inspiring change and adaptation in other regions. These exchanges
can also create dialogues that address cultural practices that are detrimental
to gender equality, such as early marriage or gender-based violence, and offer
alternative models that promote respect and dignity for all genders. Moreover,
cultural exchange encourages empathy and solidarity across borders, reinforcing
that gender equality is a shared global responsibility. Societies can achieve
greater equality and inclusiveness by promoting cultural understanding and
respect.
Ethical
Responsibility: Ethical Responsibility underscores the moral imperative to address gender inequality as a
fundamental human rights issue. It is an acknowledgement that gender
discrimination, in any form, violates basic human rights and dignity. Ethically,
individuals, communities, governments, and international organisations are
responsible for acting against gender-based injustices; this includes
advocating for policies that protect and promote the rights of women and
marginalised genders and challenging societal norms that perpetuate inequality.
Ethical responsibility also means holding accountable those who perpetrate or
tolerate gender discrimination and ensuring that justice is served. It calls
for ethical leadership in the global context, where nations and organisations
prioritise gender equality in their domestic and international agendas. By
embracing ethical responsibility, societies can foster a culture of respect,
equality, and justice, where everyone, regardless of gender, is afforded the
rights and opportunities to live a dignified and fulfilling life.
G-20 Initiatives for Gender Equality
The
G-20 has undertaken several initiatives to promote gender equality, drawing
inspiration from the "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" principle. Some notable
examples include:
1. G-20
Women's Empowerment Principles: The G-20 women's
empowerment principles are voluntary guidelines designed to
encourage businesses and organisations to take concrete steps toward promoting
gender equality in the workplace. These principles provide a framework for
companies to implement policies and practices that support women's empowerment,
ensuring equal opportunities for employment, leadership, and professional
growth. The principles include recommendations for creating gender-inclusive
work environments, such as offering equal pay for equal work, ensuring fair
recruitment and promotion processes, and providing family-friendly policies
like maternity and paternity leave. Additionally, the principles advocate for
the active involvement of women in decision-making processes at all levels of
the organisation. By adopting these principles, companies not only contribute
to gender equality but also benefit from the diverse perspectives and talents
that women bring to the workforce. The G-20's promotion of these principles
reflects a commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, where both men
and women can contribute fully to their organisations and the broader economy.[20]
2. G-20
Compact with Women Entrepreneurs: The G-20
Compact with women entrepreneurs is a significant initiative to
support women in entrepreneurship and create a more enabling environment for
their success. Recognising women entrepreneurs' challenges—such as limited
access to capital, markets, and networks—the Compact seeks to address these
barriers by promoting policies and programs that enhance women's opportunities
to start and grow their businesses. The initiative encourages G-20 member
countries to develop supportive regulatory frameworks, offer financial
incentives, and provide targeted training and mentorship programs for women
entrepreneurs. It also emphasises the importance of connecting women
entrepreneurs with global markets and value chains, enabling them to scale
their businesses and compete internationally. By fostering an ecosystem that
supports women entrepreneurs, the G-20 aims to drive economic growth and
innovation while also contributing to gender equality by empowering women to
become leaders in the business world.[21]
3. G-20
Initiative on Women's Financial Inclusion: The G-20
Initiative on Women's Financial Inclusion focuses on improving
women's access to financial services, which is critical for their economic
empowerment. Despite progress in recent years, women in many parts of the world
still face significant barriers to accessing financial products and services,
such as bank accounts, credit, insurance, and savings. These barriers often
stem from sociocultural norms, legal restrictions, and limited financial
literacy. The G-20 initiative seeks to reduce these disparities by encouraging
member countries to implement policies that promote financial inclusion for
women; this includes expanding access to microfinance, supporting digital
financial services, and creating financial literacy programs tailored to women's
needs. By improving women's access to financial resources, the initiative
enables them to invest in education, health, and businesses, thereby
contributing to their overall economic empowerment. Furthermore, increased
financial inclusion for women has a ripple effect, positively impacting
families and communities and contributing to broader economic development.
4. G-20 Action
Plan on Women's Empowerment in Agriculture:
The
G-20 Action Plan on women's empowerment in agriculture is designed to enhance the participation and livelihoods of women in
the agricultural sector, recognising their vital role in food production and
rural economies. Women comprise a significant portion of the agricultural
workforce, particularly in developing countries, yet they often face challenges
such as limited access to land, resources, technology, and training. The G-20
action plan aims to address these issues by promoting policies that support
women's rights to land and resources, improve their access to agricultural
inputs and technology, and provide education and training tailored to their
needs. The plan also encourages investment in rural infrastructure and services
that can reduce the burden of unpaid care work, disproportionately affecting
women in agriculture. By empowering women in agriculture, the G-20 seeks to
enhance food security, increase agricultural productivity, and contribute to
rural development. This initiative not only supports gender equality but also
aligns with broader goals of sustainable development and poverty reduction.[22]
Conclusion
The convergence of gender
issues, the philosophy of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam, and the G-20's initiatives present a powerful path for
transformative global change. By adopting the principle of global
interconnectedness and prioritising gender equality, the G-20 has the potential
to significantly influence the creation of a more just and equitable world.
Through its proactive initiatives and strategic leadership, the G-20 can catalyse
global action, addressing the persistent challenges of gender inequality and paving
the way for a more inclusive and fair future for all.
References
1.
G-20
Development Working Group. (2020). G-20 Action Plan on Women's Empowerment
in Agriculture. G-20 Secretariat. Retrieved from
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2. G-20 Empower Alliance. (2022). Advancing
Women's Economic Empowerment in the G-20.
3.
G-20
Presidency of India. (2023). G-20 Gender Equality Initiatives.
Government of India. Retrieved from
https://www.g20.org/en/initiatives/gender-equality
4. Government of India, Ministry of
External Affairs. (2024). India's G-20 Presidency and Gender Equality
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5.
International
Monetary Fund (IMF). (2021). Gender Equality and Economic Growth: A
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(2020). Building an Inclusive Recovery: Gender Perspectives from G-20
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7. UN Women. (2021). Beyond
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9. UNESCO. (2022). Gender
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10. United Nations (UN). (2020). The
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11. World Bank. (2019). Women,
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Web References
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SG.GEN.PARL.ZS
https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/
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* M. A. Philosophy, Project Officer, GPF
India, IGNOU Road, Saket New Delhi, Email
** Professor,
School of Philosophy and Theological Studies, L. J. University, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat
Email: Pathak06@gmail.com
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