Gender inequality continues to hinder social progress — UN SRSG laments

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Africa, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, has lamented that gender inequality continues to hamper social progress across the continent.

In an opinion piece published ahead of the UN General Assembly's Summit of the Future, Onanga-Anyanga noted that findings on progress towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals are instructive.

“Gender inequality continues to hinder social progress," he stated.

The UN official was echoing the assessment of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who said in a recent policy brief that gender biases remain entrenched and the promises of a world free from discrimination have yet to be realized.

Onanga-Anyanga warned that essential services like water, sanitation, affordable energy and decent jobs, which are prerequisites for inclusive economic growth, are lagging set targets due to persistent inequality between women and men.

"Education systems are outdated and cannot address already complex socio-economic realities exacerbated by high levels of poverty," stated the Special Representative.

He added that global food systems will fail to eradicate hunger by 2030 if not transformed, leaving nearly 2 billion people food insecure, disproportionately impacting women farmers.

The opinion piece published ahead of the crucial UN summit advocates for bold steps to ensure equality between women and men.

“Now is the time to renew the social contract...and embrace a comprehensive vision of human rights where gender biases are eradicated," Onanga-Anyanga stressed.