SDG 5: Gender Equality.
Introduction.
Of the seventeen sustainable development goals, the fifth goal focuses on gender equality. The aim of setting this goal was to ensure that all women and girls across the globe get empowered. While analyzing the status of efforts to attain this goal, Cambodia will be our focus. As the trend has been across the world, with Cambodia not being an exception, women have faced a lot of hardships and mistreat under the rule of men. Women and girls were almost being categorized as the less fortunate in society just because of their gender. Since time immemorial, DRC as a country regarded women as lesser beings. Evidence of this lies in how women are generally considered. There are specific tasks women cannot be entrusted with. This is as a result of male chauvinism.
The history of Cambodia’s mistreatment against women stands to judge the country harshly. Over several decades’ women and girls have been disadvantaged lot as the county did not regard their space in society. Regarding education, boys were given a priority while it was assumed that women did not need to be educated per se. This resulted in the female gender suffering in their teens hence deciding to get married and be given in marriage at a very tender age. That notwithstanding, young girls and women have also been exposed to physical assault, sexual harassment, and psychological violence. As it is evident in the statistics on employment, fewer women have gotten to the opportunity to be employed in the country. It is thus the status of these three key aspects that are going to be considered while focusing on the efforts of attaining the fifth goal on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
Literacy rates.
Women’s literacy levels can be used as a gauge to determine how best the goal of gender equality is performing. From statistics, primary schools, which are a basic level of education, recorded a low enrollment of girls (Wagner, 17). With such a record, women have, over time, continued to be the most illiterate lot in society. According to the SDGs progress report of 2019, there has been noticeable progress in reforming laws aimed at improving gender equality (Hirsu, Hashemi & Zenaida, 2). Many countries are now encouraging the education of the girl-child in society. Evidence of this is shown in the appendix, which shows a tremendous improvement in women’s literacy levels as the years go by.
Female Unemployment.
Despite gender equality being considered a fundamental human right, women in many countries have continued to face the wrath of unemployment. Due to the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal number 5, states have tried to reduce the use of child labor. This step has given more girls an opportunity to get access to better education. For the past two decades, female youth unemployment rates have reduced. This is a clear indication that SDG 5 is on the verge of being achieved.
Physical, Sexual, and Psychological Violence of women.
This is another vital aspect where women’s and girls’ rights have been violated. The SDG on gender equality comes in to ensure that women have a say on matters of decision making on contraceptive use and health. They are equally guaranteed equal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The SDG also focused on eliminating early forced marriage. This, together with the elimination of genital mutilation, is taking the track, and such cases are much fewer now.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, as time goes by, people are getting a better grasp across the globe of the value of women in society. With this in mind, women are now receiving better treatment in many aspects of life. They can get access to education, protection against violence, and equally enjoy the employment chances on an equal basis with men.
Work Cited.
Wagner, Daniel A. “EFA 2000 Thematic study on literacy and adult education.” (2000).
Hirsu, Lavinia, Lamiah Hashemi, and Zenaida Quezada-Reyes. “SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” (2019).