Empowering women towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Gender prejudice persists in cultures, economies, politics and social institutions throughout the world.

A crucial step in fighting this is by promoting women's empowerment, the process of giving women the ability to take charge of their lives, participate in decision-making, and have equal access to opportunities in a variety of fields.

Despite significant progress in women's rights around the world, millions continue to face discrimination and abuse.

Women's empowerment will lead to more independence and economic stability in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A blueprint for advancement that is sustainable and leaves no one behind may be found in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs, which were adopted by world leaders at the UN General Assembly in 2015.

Achieving women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals and moving towards gender equality makes development stronger and more sustainable.

According to a UN report, if women were given the same equity in the job market as men, the global annual GDP could potentially grow by as much as US$28 trillion (RM131 trillion), or 26%, by 2025.

In accordance with Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2022 published by the United Nations, gender equality will not be achieved globally by 2030.

The prospects for this were dimmed by Covid-19, as well as pushback on women's rights, and sexual and reproductive health.

As a result of the pandemic, the usage of digital tools is being promoted to improve gender empowerment.

We have access to cutting-edge solutions, and we now have the chance to draw on worldwide expertise to provide girls with high-quality learning and healthcare experiences.

In terms of education, digital technologies can improve access to education for women, particularly in remote or underserved areas.

Online platforms, elearning tools and digital resources can enable women to pursue education at their own pace and overcome geographical barriers.

This flexibility allows them to balance their education with other commitments, such as work or caregiving. Furthermore, women can connect with peers, mentors and professionals worldwide through online communities, forums and mentorship programmes, establishing networking and support networks for both personal and professional advancement.

With respect to healthcare, women may access trustworthy information on digital platforms, giving them the power to decide for themselves what is best for their health and wellbeing.

Online sources, telemedicine options and mobile health tools help spread awareness and understanding about a range of medical conditions.

Moreover, telemedicine, virtual healthcare services and remote consultations are all made possible by digital technologies.

This can be especially helpful for women who live in rural or underserved areas and who may have trouble getting access to high-quality medical treatment because of distance, transportation issues or cultural restrictions.

In relation to maternal and reproductive health, mobile applications and online resources can offer assistance and direction during pregnancy, labour and postpartum care.

They can help improve maternal and reproductive health outcomes by providing appointment reminders, health advice and communication tools between women and healthcare professionals.

China, especially in the past few years, has made significant efforts to achieve women's empowerment.

The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have implemented “upholding the fundamental governmental policy of gender equality and safeguarding the legal rights of women and children” as a crucial component of the ruling programme.

In line with China's Constitution, the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, and more than 100 other laws and regulations, a legal framework protecting women's rights and interests has emerged.

Another effort is improving the assistance and aid system to protect women’s personal rights as well as marital and family rights.

China has also increased the avenues for women to participate in politics and defend their political rights, in addition to promoting women’s equal access to employment and protecting their economic rights.

In terms of international strategy, China is conducting women’s international exchanges and cooperation to promote the global development of women. For instance, friendly exchanges were conducted with 145 countries and 429 women’s organisations, as well as with relevant UN organisations and specialised agencies.

China assisted other nations, including Malaysia, with the implementation of 100 maternal and child health initiatives between 2015 and 2020.

In Malaysia, where women are burdened with the dual responsibility of employment and housework, basic obstacles to gender equality still exist in addition to the pandemic.

With the examples of gender equality developments in China, Malaysia can learn a few lessons about fostering women's empowerment from China.

Ultimately, creating equal economic opportunities would have positive effects not only for women but also for the overall economy.

China and Malaysia share comparable economic contexts, providing valuable insights into how Chinese women's access to the labour market could potentially contribute to the continued growth of Malaysia's economy.

In summary, regular dialogue, consultation and partnership-building efforts can help identify areas of mutual interest and develop effective collaboration frameworks to advance women's empowerment in achieving sustainable development worldwide.

Dr Lee Hui Shan is an Associate Professor at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.

The SEARCH Scholar Series is a social responsibility programme jointly organised by the South-East Asia Research Centre for Humanities (SEARCH) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), in conjunction with the 10-year anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.