SDG Series - Gender Equality - Sustainable Development Goal 5

SDG 5 focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by promoting equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources.

The purpose of SDG 5 is to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, promote their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and ensure their equal representation. This goal also aims to promote gender-sensitive policies and laws and eliminate harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

One key aspect of this goal is ensuring that women have access to maternal healthcare services that meet their needs and that they are included in the decision-making process when it comes to their health. In Ireland, there has been a call to include women with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) on the Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme for the duration of pregnancy. Diabetes Ireland reports that each year in Ireland approximately 7,440 women develop GDM. Since a decision by the then government in 2013/14, women who develop GDM are no longer entitled to reimbursement for blood glucose test strips under the long-term illness scheme.

If they do not have a General Medical Services (GMS) card, they are required to pay for their blood glucose strips themselves, costing up to €114 per month, the maximum amount under the drugs payment scheme. This additional cost can impede the delivery of best-practice care for women with GDM.

Moreover, there is a rising rate of induction of labour (IOL) in Ireland, which rose from 17% in 1999 to 25% in 2009. Currently, the overall rate for induction of labour in Ireland for first-time mothers is 38%, and six of the 19 maternity units in Ireland have an induction rate of over 42% for first-time mothers.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that induction of labour should only be performed when there is a clear medical indication for it and the expected benefits outweigh its potential harms. Women should be given the opportunity to make informed decisions based on their own wishes and preferences.

According to the WHO, induction of labour should be performed with caution since the procedure carries the risk of uterine hyperstimulation and rupture, and foetal distress. Furthermore, induction of labour is known to increase the rate of assisted delivery (forceps, vacuum, episiotomy).

Therefore, it is essential to have facilities available for assessing maternal and foetal well-being when induction of labour is carried out.

Ultimately, maternal healthcare services should prioritise the health and well-being of women and their babies.

Additionally, achieving gender equality is not a new concept, and it has taken years of struggle and progress to reach where we are today.

Let's take a look at some significant events that have happened in Ireland in relation to SDG 5 and women’s right over the past few decades;

• In 1904, women were finally allowed to attend university. This was a huge milestone for gender equality, as it gave women access to higher education, which was previously reserved for men. This allowed women to pursue careers that were previously not possible and opened up new opportunities for them.

• In 1973, married women were finally allowed to keep their jobs. Before this, women were often forced to give up their jobs when they got married, as it was assumed that their primary role was to be a home keeper. This change in the law allowed women to continue their careers and be financially independent.

• In 1985, people were allowed to buy contraception through their doctor. This gave women greater control over their reproductive rights and allowed them to plan their families according to their wishes.

• In 1991, rape within marriage was finally made illegal. Before this, rape within marriage was not considered a crime, as it was believed that a woman had given her consent to sex by marrying her partner. This change in law acknowledged that marriage does not give a person the right to sex, and that women have the right to say no to their partner.

• In 1996, divorce was made legal. Before this, divorce was only allowed under certain circumstances, such as adultery. This change allowed couples to divorce for irreconcilable differences and gave women the opportunity to leave abusive or unhappy marriages.

• In 1998, the last mother and baby home in Ireland closed. These homes were institutions where unmarried pregnant women were sent to give birth and often had their babies taken away from them. The closure of these homes was a victory for women's rights and acknowledged the trauma that these women had endured.

• In 2005 when the Ferns Report into child abuse was released in Ireland. The report uncovered a horrifying number of similar reports, revealing widespread sexual abuse and cover-ups by the Catholic Church. The revelations were shocking and showed the terrible consequences of a culture that perpetuates gender inequality and allows those in positions of power to exploit the vulnerable.

• In 2013, another small step was taken towards gender equality with the legalisation of abortion if the mother's life was at risk. This was an essential step towards giving women control over their bodies and reproductive health. However, there were still many restrictions on abortion, and it took several more years of campaigning to secure the right to choose.

• In 2018, after a long and hard-fought campaign, the right to choose was finally voted in. This was a significant victory for women's rights and a crucial step toward achieving gender equality. It meant that women in Ireland could finally make their own choices about their bodies and reproductive health.

Overall, the timelines outlined above show that achieving gender equality is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous efforts. While progress has been made, there are still many barriers to overcome before true equality can be achieved. The fight for gender equality must continue, and everyone must play their part in creating a more sustainable world for all.

Gender equality and women rights remain a huge issue in many countries around the world, much worst than our example and timeline given in the Irish context.

Furthermore, gender equality has now evolved to be much more than empowering women, we need to ensure EVERY GENDER has equal rights, including the LGBTQIA+ community. After all Article 1 of the Declaration of human rights says that:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

What would the world look like if SDG 5 was fully implemented?

If SDG 5 was fully implemented, the world would be a more equitable place for all. Women and girls would have equal access to education and healthcare, their voices would be heard and respected and violence and discrimination against them would no longer be tolerated. This would not only benefit women and girls but also have positive impacts on their families, communities, and society as a whole.

What can we do to assist this sustainable development goal?

Governments need to play a big role to ensure National laws protect and promote all genders equally, there are still many instances where homosexuality is illegal, or where women are prohibited from work in different countries around the world.

The private sector also needs to play a role, ensuring we actively develop policies and strategies within our organisations to ensure the equality of all genders, giving equal opportunities and equal pay and ensuring that there is no room for any kind of bullying or harassment.

So what can you do as an individual?

1. It's important to understand the issues and challenges facing all genders around the world. Read books, articles, and research about gender equality and listen to the experiences of those that are a different gender to yours.
2. Gender stereotypes are deeply ingrained in our society, and they can limit opportunities and potential. Speak out against stereotypes and encourage people to question their assumptions about gender roles.
3. Above all, be kind and empathetic to all genders viewpoints, people live through different experiences that we may or may not understand, but kindness and empathy for each other are the basis to protecting equality.

By taking these actions, we can all play a critical role in promoting gender equality and empower all human beings, to help achieve SDG 5.

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Thank you for reading today.

The FSG Team 💚