Women's Rights and Gender Equality for Sustainable Development: Discussing the Proposed SDGs within the Context of the Development Problematique in the Arab Region

This paper was prepared by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) as a background paper contributing to the Arab Sustainable Development Report. It focuses on gender equality as a core element to achieve sustainable development. It tackles gender mainstreaming as a strategy to overcome gender inequalities. In addition, this paper discusses proposed sustainable development goals (SDGs) that tackle the gender dimension within the context of the development problematique in Arab countries. This paper reviews the situation of women’s rights and gender equality in Arab countries and discusses the interface between sustainable development, economic growth, and inequalities from a gender-conscious perspective. This paper also provides recommendations in regard to selected policy changes that are needed in the Arab region to serve women’s rights and gender equality and justice and the sustainability of the development process, specifically focusing on policies regarding productive sectors, wage and tax, social protection, and trade and investment.

Publisher: 
United Nations Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia
Publishing Date: 
Thursday, 1 January 2015
Resource Type: 
Paper
Theme: 
Quality of Life, Policy Interventions, Gender