The big picture: how does gender equality benefit everyone?

Equality between men and women has always been a goal of the United Nations.

© UNICEF/HQ05-1068/LeMoyne

Lebanon

The 1945 Preamble to the UN Charter states its objective “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.”

When the UN was established more than 60 years ago, global leaders pictured a world where all people shared equally in rights, resources and opportunities.  In 2006, however, millions of women and girls throughout the world remain powerless, voiceless and without rights. The negative consequences of this inequality are felt throughout society.

Eliminating gender discrimination and empowering women will require increasing their influence in key decisions that shape their lives and those of children in three distinct arenas: the household, the workplace and the political sphere. A change for the better in any of these arenas influences women’s equality in the others and has a great and positive impact on children everywhere.

Healthy, educated and empowered women have healthy, educated and confident daughters and sons.
The State of the World’s Children Report 2007 looks at the causes and consequences of discrimination against women and how it impacts the lives of children. It looks at the status of women today in the home, the workplace and in politics, and then discusses how gender equality will help to achieve all the Millennium Development Goals. It also outlines what must be done to achieve the dream of equal rights and opportunities for all.

Its main message is that gender equality will help to overcome poverty for women, their children, families, communities and countries and is something we all must strive to achieve – together.