Connect with us

NATIONAL NEWS

UN Sustainable Goals In Jeopardy As Nigeria Is 60% Off Track

Published

on

During the parley

United Nations has decried that Nigeria is currently off-track on nearly 60 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators, with gender inequality and the marginalization of Women and girls being a significant barrier to progress.

Speaking on Tuesday at a programme organised by the UN Women, “Closing the Gender Gap: Financing Solutions for SDG 5, a goal that serves as a critical accelerator for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Mohamed Fall said:
“Gender equality is not just a goal in itself; it is a catalyst for progress across all SDGs, amplifying efforts in education, health, economic growth, climate action, peace and security.”

Advertisement

He added that: “As we gather today, it is crucial to reflect on the current state of our journey towards the SDGs. Nigeria, like many other nations, faces significant challenges in meeting these goals. According to the latest data, Nigeria is currently off-track on nearly 60% of the SDG indicators, with gender inequality and the marginalization of Women and girls being a significant barrier to progress.”

He lamented that: “Women and girls continue to experience disproportionate levels of poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and significant barriers to economic participation and decision-making.

Advertisement

“The status of women and girls in Nigeria highlights these challenges. Over 70% of women in rural areas lack access to basic education and healthcare. Nigeria ranks 130th out of 166 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, indicating severe disparities in economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment. Gender-based violence remains pervasive, affecting nearly one in three women. Women also represent less than 5% of Nigeria’s national parliament, reflecting significant underrepresentation in decision-making processes.”

Fall said: “Addressing these challenges requires a strategic and well-financed commitment to SDG 5. Funding SDG 5 can transform the lives of women and girls by providing access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. It can reduce gender-based violence through targeted programmes and legal reforms, ensuring a safer environment for all.

Advertisement

“Additionally, increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making will enable more inclusive governance, leading to more equitable policies that benefit the entire society.”

He noted that: “Within the UN System, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and cut across all strategic pillars. This underscores our collective commitment to mainstreaming gender perspectives into every aspect of our work, ensuring our efforts are holistic and inclusive.”

Advertisement

He said that: “The journey towards achieving the SDGs by 2030 is challenging, but it is not insurmountable. By leveraging the transformative power of SDG 5 and implementing gender-responsive budgeting practices, we can make significant strides in bridging the gender gap and fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria for all.”

On her part, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong: “It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on four strategic priorities: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems; Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy; All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence; and Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action.”

Advertisement

We are committed to providing high-quality news content on a wide range of topics, including the most recent economic and business updates, politics, entertainment, and compelling human interest stories.

Trending