Assessment of India's Progress on Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5)
India is set to undertake a district-wise assessment of progress on SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. This initiative is spearheaded by Niti Aayog and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Background and Current Status
- A detailed analysis of each indicator and sub-indicator under SDG 5 has begun.
- This assessment follows the United Nations' SDG Report 2024, highlighting significant challenges in achieving gender equality by 2030.
- The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 ranks India at 131 out of 148 countries, with a gender parity score of 64.1.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
- Identify district-wise progress across indicators to pinpoint areas needing improvement.
- Outline necessary interventions to enhance India's global ranking and fast-track measures to achieve gender equality by 2030.
- A summary report of preliminary findings will be released, followed by a detailed analysis to inform policy adjustments.
Current Challenges
- India is ranked 109th out of 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Report 2024, with slow progress towards gender equality.
- The SDG India Index score remains unchanged at 48 from 2020-21 to 2023-24 under Goal 5, indicating moderate progress.
- 13 states and one union territory are below the national average on SDG 5.
Key Indicators Under SDG 5
- Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
- Eliminating violence against women and girls, including trafficking and exploitation.
- Eradicating harmful practices like child and forced marriages and female genital mutilation.
- Recognizing and valuing unpaid care and domestic work.
- Promoting women's full participation and leadership in political, economic, and public life.
- Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.