Intersectional Gender Equality: A Critical Imperative for Sustainable Development

Written By: Yasmina Bitar

Today, as the world marks International Women’s Day, we are compelled to contemplate a fundamental question: How do we truly advance towards a more gender-inclusive world?

More than just a day in the calendar, International Women’s Day marks the beginning of a year-long effort, propelling us from dialogue into tangible action.

Under the banner of this year’s theme, #InspireInclusion , we confront a spectrum of issues, ranging from gender bias, discrimination, and social justice to educational access, leadership progression, and women's economic empowerment. As a young woman at the beginning of her career, the importance of inclusion cannot be overstated. The resounding message? Gender equality isn't a ‘nice to have’; it is a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Inclusivity isn’t a standalone goal confined to Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); it is intricately woven into the fabric of all 169 targets. A recent study by Equal Measures 2030 has revealed a staggering 73% of the targets rely directly or significantly on gender equality for their success. Yet, despite its pivotal role, many governments continue to side-line gender equality in their pursuit of sustainable development.

This neglect is reflected in the lack of attention given to gender equality in national progress reports on the SDGs. Shockingly, over half of the countries assessed in 2023 made no mention of gender equality, women, or girls in their summaries. Such silence speaks volumes about the systemic barriers and entrenched biases that hinder progress towards gender equality worldwide.

Moreover, the fight for gender equality faces formidable challenges from anti-rights movements, which have gained momentum in recent years. From rollbacks on reproductive rights to the withdrawal from international treaties aimed at combating gender-based violence, the pushback against gender equality poses a grave threat not only to women's rights but to the entirety of the 2030 Agenda and the principles of multilateralism.

Nevertheless, amid the daunting challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Countries in the Global South have demonstrated remarkable progress in areas such as girls' education and women's financial inclusion. International initiatives like the Generation Equality Forum have provided vital platforms for allies to come together and reaffirm their commitment to advancing gender equality despite the prevailing headwinds.

However, meaningful progress on gender equality must take into account the concept of intersectionality. Coined by scholar-lawyer and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw, the concept challenges us to examine the various ways certain identities interact with each other to create unique barriers in our journey towards a world that #InspiresInclusion. Your gender, as well as the colour of your skin, disability, religion and sexual orientation all interact to affect your lived experience and contribute to unequal outcomes that cannot be attributed to one dimension alone. In short, all inequality is not created equal.

On this International Women’s Day and beyond, it is critical to recognize the intersectionality of women and to include this in prospective efforts to advance Goal 5, from solving problems of gender gaps in pay, to persistent disparities in healthcare.

Let us start with the issue of gender equity in pay. It is well documented that gender inequity in salary persists both within the UK and internationally. Black, Latino, and Muslim women still earn far less than their white female counterparts. Rather than lessening over time, the pay gap between white women and women of colour is the fastest-growing wage gap, according to research from the Inclusion Initiative (ITT) . Our world cannot #InspireInclusion unless we examine the impact of the intersectionality of gender, race, culture and economic status on the persistent and increasing disparities in compensation for all groups of women.

Our quest to #InspireInclusion also must not ignore the stark health disparities that persist for women in terms of access, affordability and sensitivity to the unique needs related to intersectionality. The story of British blogger Candice Braithwaite , as she struggled to overcome the communication barriers she faced because of gender and race after experiencing complications from giving birth to her daughter, serves as a powerful example. The data shows that, sadly, she is not alone in her experience. Today in the UK, Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts . Some argue that mandating implicit bias training for healthcare providers could save the lives of many Black mothers, while others point to the broader issues of bias and intersectionality in the healthcare delivery for women.

Therefore, as we celebrate International Women’s Day and its theme of #InspireInclusion, let us keep front of mind the word of Kimberlé Crenshaw, “that ‘other’ women are silenced as much by being relegated to the margin of experience as by total exclusion” . I applaud leaders of International Women’s Day for celebrating the social, cultural and political achievement of women. Their agenda issues a powerful call to action towards the goal of gender inclusivity. ?

I’m a firm believer in the motto ‘if you can see it, you can be it’. My whole life, I have seen brilliant women break gender stereotypes and succeed in spaces where they have been traditionally underrepresented. Today, I look to the women of Goals House. Recently, we showed up at the Munich Security Conference, a forum where men – mostly older and white - dominate discussions on conflict and security. Watching Palestinian-German politician Sawsan Chebli speak to the importance of securing Goal 5: Gender Equality on an all-female panel at a Goals House x POLITICO nightcap, I couldn’t help but see a reflection of myself in her – a version of what I could become and what other young women like me aspire to be.

In a world where representation matters more than ever, women like Sawsan are paving the way for a future where diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but fundamental principles guiding our collective journey forward.

As I reflect on International Women’s Day, I am reminded of the importance of celebrating the achievements of women like Sawsan Chebli – not just for their individual accomplishments, but for the ripple effect they create inspiring other women and girls to reach higher and strive for a world where everyone – regardless of their gender – has the opportunity to thrive.