Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities

SDGs and Empirical Literature

Socialization is a necessary and ongoing process that occurs throughout human development. From the moment we are born, we are socialized—taught how to express love, receive affection, seek support, and identify who will meet our needs. This discussion focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, as outlined by the United Nations (United Nations, n.d.). Both goals are rooted in addressing the harmful consequences of socialized practices that perpetuate gender-based disparities and obstruct the success of women, girls, and female-presenting individuals across the lifespan.

SDGs 5 and 10 aim to dismantle social norms and expectations that reinforce inequities in political, economic, social, and cultural spheres. These goals emphasize empowering women and girls and eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against them. Additionally, they promote systemic changes that elevate women’s voices in decision-making and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. The outcomes of these goals are measured by indicators such as reductions in gender-based violence and increases in women’s participation and leadership across sectors.

The lived experience of inequality often reflects the misalignment between gender identity and intersecting factors like race, culture, and class. These overlapping influences amplify disparities in access, treatment, and opportunity. For example, Silverstein et al. (2022) examine the intersection of gender and race among African American adults, highlighting the nuanced ways gender expectations affect psychological resilience. Similarly, Profeta (2020) discusses how gender inequalities became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through the lens of public policy failures. These studies demonstrate the importance of applying an intersectional framework to understand and address inequality.

Both SDGs 5 and 10 have direct implications for social work practice. Practitioners are called to develop and demonstrate cultural humility, awareness of systemic oppression, and advocacy for equity. These competencies include recognizing diverse gender identities and engaging in inclusive, anti-oppressive approaches to service delivery.

SDGs and Transition Network

The mission and programming of the nonprofit organization Transition Network align closely with SDGs 5 and 10. This organization addresses systemic discrimination through programming rooted in racial, gender, cultural, educational, and social justice frameworks. Transition Network demonstrates authentic and ethical leadership by embedding fairness, integrity, and accountability into its work. The organization’s approach serves as an example of how nonprofits can operationalize the goals of gender equality and reduced inequalities by applying intersectional, community-driven interventions.

References

Profeta, P. (2020). Gender Equality and Public Policy during COVID-19. CESifo Economic Studies, 66(4), 365–375. https://doi.org/10.1093/cesifo/ifaa018

Silverstein, M. W., Mekawi, Y., Watson-Singleton, N. N., Shebuski, K., McCullough, M., Powers, A., & Michopoulos, V. (2022). Psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 in a community sample of African American adults: Exploring the role of gender. Traumatology, 28(2), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000316.supp

United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals | Sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

United Nations. (n.d.). Goal 5 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5