5Ps, SDGs, gender equality: Elusive but attainable

PEACE and PROSPERITY for PEOPLE and PLANET, now and into the future, through PARTNERSHIP are the 5 pillars/5 commitments within the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) everyone and the whole world are enjoined to achieve together to ensure that no one is left behind.

In the midst of our present increasingly troubled world, these commitments/SDGs, especially peace, now appears to be even more fragile and elusive.

On top of the wars/conflicts in Ukraine/the Middle East and elsewhere, recent pronouncements about World War III have been made by certain US/Russian/Chinese officials.

A March 6 WIONEWS article bannered that Year 2035 might see World War involving US/Russia/and China, according to 357 political experts surveyed by the “Atlantic Council, a global affairs think tank in Washington.”

About 62% of the surveyed experts believed in “a bleak future, the world worse off than it is today, with World War III as the greatest threat humanity will face in the next 10 years.”

Only 38% believed “a better world will emerge in the next 10 years.”

The trade wars started by US Trump’s imposition of tariffs will considerably/seriously impact on the goals/pillars of peace and prosperity for people/the global community/and the planet.

Tramp’s policies affecting global markets/jobs and employment/health/welfare services, among others will also impact on SDGs, including #1 no poverty, #2 zero hunger, #3 good health and wellbeing, #4 quality   education, #5 gender equality/and more.

Today, March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD) which calls on all to “imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias/stereotypes/and discrimination, a world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where difference is valued and celebrated.”

IWD has been celebrated since 1911 by “all who care about women's equality, those who celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to forge gender parity, together.”

With Trump and the recent developments impacting global peace, prosperity, human rights and other SDGs, the goal of gender equality and the theme of this year’s IWD - #AccelerateAction - will also seriously meet stronger pressure/and challenge.

Before Trump, it was noted that “at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.”

“Focusing on the need and this year’s 2025 IWD theme to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.”

Can global solidarity through Accelerate Action for gender equality speed up the rate of progress worldwide?

 “Accelerate Action is a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women's advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation.”

With the right action and support,, some suggested steps individuals/groups can take to hurdle “significant barriers to gender equality and make positive progress for women everywhere” include: forging women's economic empowerment, recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent, supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM, designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls, helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health, involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security, providing women and girls with access to quality education and training, elevating women and girl's participation and achievement in sport promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls, and, addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls.”

Groups “can choose to mark IWD in whatever manner they deem most relevant, engaging, and impactful for their specific context, objectives, and audiences” and focus on gender equality as “fighting for women's rights, about reinforcing key commitments, about celebrating success, and, holding festive gatherings and parties.”