What are some key ways to ACCELERATE ACTION for gender equality?

To Accelerate Action for women's equality requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses systemic barriers, social norms, and power dynamics.

Here are several key areas that can help advance gender equality more quickly.

Enforce legal and policy reforms

Stronger legal protections are key.

Enforce and strengthen laws that promote gender equality, such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and protection against gender-based violence.

Ensure that existing laws are fully implemented.

Inclusive policies are also key. Gender-responsive policies in key sectors like education, healthcare, and the workforce are critical.

Ensure women's representation in decision-making processes.

Promote economic empowerment

Equal pay for equal work is critical.

Close the gender pay gap by enforcing pay equity and transparency.

Provide paid maternity and paternity leave to promote shared responsibilities in caregiving.

Provide access to financial resources. For example, improve women's access to financial services including loans, investments, and business development support, particularly for women entrepreneurs.

Support unpaid care work. Recognize, redistribute, and reduce the burden of unpaid care work that disproportionately falls on women through social programs, flexible work policies, and childcare support.

Enable education and skill development

Eliminate gender bias in education through providing equal access to quality education for girls and women, particularly in areas where gender gaps are larger, like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Provide lifelong learning opportunities. Support continuous learning and skills development, especially for women transitioning between jobs or returning to work after caregiving.

Increase women's leadership and representation

Political representation is key. Increase women's participation in politics and leadership roles by implementing quotas, mentoring programs, and support for women candidates.

Women must be present in corporate Leadership. Promote gender diversity in corporate leadership by setting gender targets and creating pathways for women in executive positions.

Support grassroots leadership. Support women’s leadership at the community level and within grassroots organizations, amplifying their voices in local decision-making.

Combat gender-based violence and discrimination

Address harmful norms. For example, launch campaigns that challenge harmful gender stereotypes and social norms. Encourage men and boys to be allies in promoting gender equality.

Support survivors. Provide comprehensive support for survivors of gender-based violence, including legal aid, mental health services, and safe spaces.

Strengthen accountability. Hold institutions, businesses, and governments accountable for preventing sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace and public spaces.

Use technology for inclusion

Enable digital access. Bridge the digital divide by ensuring women have equal access to technology and the internet, especially in rural and low-income areas.

Deliver tech-based solutions. Leverage technology to promote women’s empowerment, whether through access to information, education, or platforms that enable women to connect and collaborate globally.

Forge global collaboration and advocacy

Support global movements. Strengthen international and regional coalitions that promote women’s rights and gender equality, sharing resources and best practices across borders.

Provide funding for women's organizations. Increase financial support for women-led organizations working at the grassroots level to tackle inequality, ensuring sustainable and long-term change.