Contemporary Public Health Issues: Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

This report analyzes the sustainable development goals developed by the United Nations General Assembly 2015, with a focus on gender equality and women empowerment. The report discusses the issues faced by women such as gender inequality, child marriage, and unpaid domestic work, and provides recommendations for solving them. The research methodology used is qualitative, and the data is obtained through secondary data collection. The report concludes that achieving gender equality and women empowerment is crucial for the attainment of all sustainable development goals.

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Contemporary Public Health Issues
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Executive Summary
The below presented is a business research proposal that is executed and analyzed on the fifth
goal of SDG that is sustainable development goals. Sustainable development Goals are set of 17
goals that are developed by the United Nations General Assembly 2015 for resolving the various
gloal issues and challenges faced by the population all over the globe. The research is segmented
in various segments. Qualitative methodology of research is utilized for extracting the data and
under which sampling and convenience data collection method is also used. The focus of the
report is on the fifth goal that is Gender equality and women empowerment and issues associated
to the same has been discussed in the report. At the end recommendations are also provided over
the issues faced by the population due to gender un-equality.

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Purpose of the report..............................................................................................................4
1.2 Issues to be discussed and their significance..........................................................................4
1.3 Research methods...................................................................................................................5
1.4 Limitations and assumptions..................................................................................................5
2. Discussion....................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Literature review....................................................................................................................5
2.1.1 Issue 1..............................................................................................................................6
2.1.2 Issue 2..............................................................................................................................6
2.1.3 Issue 3..............................................................................................................................6
2.2 Method....................................................................................................................................6
2.2.1 Procedures........................................................................................................................6
2.2.2 Sample size......................................................................................................................7
2.2.3 Selection criteria..............................................................................................................7
2.3 Discussion and analysis of data..............................................................................................7
2.3.1 Issue 1..............................................................................................................................7
2.3.2 Issue 2..............................................................................................................................8
2.3.3 Issue 3..............................................................................................................................8
2.3.4 Reliability and accuracy of data.......................................................................................9
3. Conclusion...................................................................................................................................9
4. Recommendation.........................................................................................................................9
4.1 Recommendation 1.................................................................................................................9
4.2 Recommendation 2.................................................................................................................9

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5. References..................................................................................................................................10
6. Appendix....................................................................................................................................12
6.1 Appendix..............................................................................................................................12
6.2 Appendix..............................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
Sustainable development goals (SDG’s) or can also be termed as global goals for sustainable
development are set of 17 goals that are developed by the United Nations General Assembly
2015. These sustainable goals are an integral part of Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations
General Assembly: “transforming our world the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development’ (Lu,
Nakicenovic, Visbeck and Stevance, 2015). This agenda has been shortened to 2030 Agenda. The
17 goals that are developed are very broad and also independent yet each goal has its own
various targets that are required to be attained. Approximately there are 169 goals and
accomplishing the same will be the signal of the attainment of accomplishment of the 17 goals.
1.1 Purpose of the report
The prime objective of the report is to analyze the sustainable development goals developed by
the United Nations General Assembly 2015. The further focus of the report is diverted towards
the goal no 5 that is ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’ (Moreno and
Amin, 2016). The main objective for which the analysis will be executed is to find out the issues
in the mentioned goal. Developing recommendations for solving the issues in the presented goal
can also be considered another purpose of the report.
1.2 Issues to be discussed and their significance
Gender inequality has been observed to be one of the biggest and one of the history’s most
tenacious and prevalent forms of prejudice and eliminating the same will be considered as
history’s one of the biggest movement for change (Leach, 2015). Women and girls are
continuously suffering fierceness and discernment in every part. Gaps in gender equality are a
major part of concern in every sector. For instance, in South Asia only 74 girls were enrolled in
primary school in comparison to every 100 boys in the year of 1990. However there were no
changes in the the ratio, till 2012 the enrollment ratios were the same.
Gender equality is not only recognized as a fundamental human right but is also a necessary
foundation for a sustainable and peaceful world. The prohibition of women places half of the
world’s population outside the monarchy of opportunity to partner in building affluent societies
and nations (Costanza et al., 2016).

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1.3 Research methods
Majorly there are two research methods that can be used for executing the research for this topic
that is SDGs (sustainable development goals). The selected research method that has been used
for extracting the data is Qualitative research method (Lee et al., 2016). This is a market research
method that is focused on obtaining the data through open-ended and conversational
communication methods. For instance, the data on fifth goal of SDG was also extracted by
executing open-ended communication with audience. Qualitative research methods are designed
in a manner that they will aid in revealing the behavior and perception of a target audience with
the concerned topic.
1.4 Limitations and assumptions
There are various limitations or challenges that were faced while collecting the data. As the topic
is of global concern and is also a broad concept the expenses incurred in collecting the data were
high. Qualitative method was used for conducting research and which comprise of methods such
as one-on-one interviewing, ethnographic research (Bryman, 2017). These methods are time
consuming and quite expensive.
The assumptions are concerned with the content analysis method that is used for executing the
research and the same has mentioned below:
• The collected data will be appropriate.
• The process of content analysis will be used in a proper manner so that the data will
be relevant and accurate (Bryman and Bell, 2015).
• The participants will provide appropriate and relevant information.
2. Discussion
2.1 Literature review
According to Le Blanc, (2015) Gender equality is one of the basic and integral human right and
same has become a major topic of concern (Hair, Wolfinbarger, Money, Samouel and Page,
2015). In the presented literature the focus is on developing gender equality and women
empowerment which is one of the goals of SDG (sustainable development goals). The presented
article is based on the challenges faced by women. The articles are analyzed for extracting the

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data on the concerned topic Women and girls should have equal rights and opportunities and
should be able to live freely of ferocity and discernment. Women’s empowerment and quality is
one of the major concern and is one of the 17 sustainable development goals, but also significant
to all scopes of comprehensive and sustainable advancement (McNabb, 2015). According to the
analysis executed by the author this goal plays a crucial role in the development process all the
SDG’s depend on the attainment of this goal that is gender equality and women empowerment.
Gender equality is a major concern and by 2030 some urgent actions are required to be taken for
eliminating the root causes of discernment that still restrain women’s rights in private and public
spheres. There are many other such issues and challenges that are faced by women due to
discrimination on the basis of gender. The article is further focused on the recommendation that
will be made for changing the conditions such as the discriminatory laws required to be changing
and updating and legislation adopted to proactively advance equality (Sreejesh, Mohapatra and
Anusree, 2014). The authors noted that yet there are 49 economies that are lacking laws and
legislation for protecting women for domestic violence, while 39 bar equal inheritance rights for
daughters and sons. Elimination of gender based in-equality is one of the
2.1.1 Issue 1
The inequality always holds back women from achieving something in their lives and deprives
them of any opportunity and they are not able to do anything even if they have the talent for the
same This is the first issue that is analyzed after the execution of the research (Thomas,
Silverman and Nelson, 2015).
2.1.2 Issue 2
Marriage of women at an early age before 18 is another issue that is kept at priority in the list of
issues.
2.1.3 Issue 3
Women do more un-paid domestic work as compared to men still they do not get enough credit
and respect for it.
2.2 Method
2.2.1 Procedures
Secondary data collection has been used to collect the data, in which no specific data collection

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procedure is being used. Both external and internal sources have been in used to obtain data.
There is no as such collection method (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). It can be both qualitative and
quantitative. The qualitative research method allows for in-depth and further probing and
questioning of respondents based on their responses, where the interviewer/researcher also tries
to understand their motivation and feelings.
2.2.2 Sample size
Three articles have been used in this review. Three sample articles have been used to prepare this
final research proposal.
2.2.3 Selection criteria
Non probability sampling method has been used, under which the convenience method has been
applied.
2.3 Discussion and analysis of data
It is necessary that women or girls everywhere must have equal rights, a life free of violence and
discrimination (Wilson, 2014). There are17 sustainable development goals and women equality
and empowerment is one of those. But it is not possible to achieve any of those goals before
ensuring this one. Thus it is necessary to achieve goal5. Rest of the sustainable development
goals depends on this one.
2.3.1 Issue 1
While with growing times, gender inequality or it can be said that discrimination against women
has been diminished to some extent, but there is much more which needs to be done. This
inequality always holds back women from achieving something in their lives and deprives them
of any opportunity. They are not able to do anything even if they have the talent for the same.
There is a need to address such issues in order to empower women. Unfair social norms should
be challenged openly (Esquivel, 2016). The legal frameworks which support and ensure gender
equality should be promoted. According to a data record of 2015-2016, in 56 countries across the
world, women between age group of 15 to 19 years have been in a sexual relationship have
experience violence (it can be either physical or physical) from their partner. There are social
practices like child marriage, with this every year 1.5 million underage girls lose their childhood
and are forced to live a life which they have to survive.

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2.3.2 Issue 2
According to a survey of 2017, it has been found out that 21% of the women were married
before age 18. So this amounts to 650 million women who are suffered by child marriage.
Although in southern Asia the numbers have been dropped down and it has been 40%. Still there
are a large number of girls who are married before 18 or are into any kind of informal
relationship. Sexual and reproductive rights are the basic rights of women and should not be
compromised. Any kind of shortfall in these rights further increase the inequality and
discrimination against women (Fredman, Kuosmanen and Campbell, 2016). It deprives them of
education and finds some decent work in order to earn their own bread. It has been found out that
across the world there are only 52% women who are allowed to take their own decisions when it
comes to sexual life, contraceptive use and even healthcare.
2.3.3 Issue 3
According to a survey, in the year 2000 to 2016, in approximately 90 countries, the hours spent
by women in doing the household work is thrice than men in any workplace. They also do the
work but don’t get enough respect or credit for it. Women do more unpaid domestic `work than
men. It is normal that the entire family, society or we can say the economy depends on this work.
Women are kept engaged by the work and they do not even get any earning for this. They do not
get time to get engaged in any other work. There is law prevalent for the equal distribution of
economic resources. This means that men and women have equal share. This is not only a right,
in fact it can increase the development in various areas. There should be a balance between the
unpaid works also. Men and women should share that also. There should be a fair balance of
responsibility. Then only we will be ready for the larger goal.
Around the globe, the percentages of women who are engaged in the national parliament in the
lower and higher houses have increased. In the year 2010, it was 19% to around 23% in the year
2018. There has been a significant rise in this. Many women have entered the political positions
during the recent years; it has been facilitated by the women quota, after that also they still hold a
mere 23.7per cent of the parliamentary seats, far short of parity. In fact the situation is not so
good in the private sector also. There is no doubt much engagement in the private sector, but on
those places also there are only one third seats occupied in the senior and middle managements
positions.

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2.3.4 Reliability and accuracy of data
The data in this article is relevant. As the data that has been used in this literature review is
reviewed by the peer journal articles. It is also obtained by the secondary data collection method
also.
3. Conclusion
The UN women acts which are introduced to empower women and girls in all sectors of society.
By stepping up in order to ensure the gender equality, every part of the society can progress with
this. All other sustainable development goals surrounds around this one. Every country should
progress towards this, leaving no one behind
4. Recommendation
4.1 Recommendation 1
The one of the crucial factor behind the women empowerment is among the various sections
ranging from adolescent to elderly people. The history of well stabilized social changes or social
momentum lies behind the wall of grassroots grip amongst the masses. Thus social awareness is
the key sector.
4.2 Recommendation 2
The next step to make women empowerment up to the zenith of success depends on institutional
framework changes. A lot of needed in the terms of institutional changes ranging from family to
the society to the government. There should be exclusive institutions like special departments,
counsels, complain committees for the protection of woman rights. They needed to be
implemented securely. These institution changes are crucial to fructify the seeds of social
awareness.

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5. References
Bryman, A. (2017) Quantitative and qualitative research: further reflections on their integration.
In Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research (pp. 57-78). New York: Routledge.
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2015) Business research methods. Oxford University Press, USA.
Costanza, R., Daly, L., Fioramonti, L., Giovannini, E., Kubiszewski, I., Mortensen, L.F., Pickett,
K.E., Ragnarsdottir, K.V., De Vogli, R. and Wilkinson, R. (2016) Modelling and measuring
sustainable wellbeing in connection with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ecological
Economics, 130, pp.350-355.
Esquivel, V. (2016) Power and the Sustainable Development Goals: a feminist analysis. Gender
& Development, 24(1), pp.9-23.
Fredman, S., Kuosmanen, J. and Campbell, M. (2016) Transformative equality: Making the
sustainable development goals work for women. Ethics & International Affairs, 30(2), pp.177-
187.
Garcia-Moreno, C. and Amin, A. (2016) The sustainable development goals, violence and
women’s and children’s health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 94(5), p.396.
Hair Jr, J.F., Wolfinbarger, M., Money, A.H., Samouel, P. and Page, M.J. (2015) Essentials of
business research methods. New York: Routledge.
Le Blanc, D. (2015) Towards integration at last? The sustainable development goals as a network
of targets. Sustainable Development, 23(3), pp.176-187.
Leach, M. ed. (2015) Gender equality and sustainable development. New York: Routledge.
Lee, B.X., Kjaerulf, F., Turner, S., Cohen, L., Donnelly, P.D., Muggah, R., Davis, R., Realini, A.,
Kieselbach, B., MacGregor, L.S. and Waller, I. (2016) Transforming our world: implementing
the 2030 agenda through sustainable development goal indicators. Journal of public health
policy, 37(1), pp.13-31.
Lu, Y., Nakicenovic, N., Visbeck, M. and Stevance, A.S. (2015) Five priorities for the UN
sustainable development goals. Nature, 520(7548), pp.432-433.
McNabb, D.E. (2015) Research methods in public administration and nonprofit management.

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New York: Routledge.
Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R. (2016) Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
Sreejesh, S., Mohapatra, S. and Anusree, M.R. (2014) Business research methods: An applied
orientation. US: Springer.
Thomas, J.R., Silverman, S. and Nelson, J. (2015) Research methods in physical activity, 7E.
Human kinetics.
Wilson, J. (2014) Essentials of business research: A guide to doing your research project. Sage.

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6. Appendix
6.1 Appendix

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6.2 Appendix
Info-graphics
Self- assessment criteria for report structure, format and presentation

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This guide will help you check your report assignment prior to submission. If you have difficulty
with any of the points mentioned you should visit the UniLearning website
(http://unilearning.uow.edu.au)
Report Criteria Student
Yes/No
1. Executive summary
Does it provide a brief overview of the topic? Y
Does it summarise the main findings and recommendations? Y
2. Introduction
Does it explain the purpose and significance of the report? Y
Does it define the main issues? Y
Does it contain a content map (summary of the main sections in the reports in the
order they will appear)? Y
3. Body
Does it use numbered headings and subheadings? Y
Does it present factual and objective information appropriately analysed? Y
Does each paragraph start with a topic sentence (i.e. explain what the paragraph will
discuss with a key sentence)? Y
Do the paragraphs have a logical flow within each other and the report? Y
Have you provided evidence for all your claims? Y
4. Conclusion
Does it contain no new material? Y
Does it summarise all the material? Y
Does it provide recommendations/solutions? Y
5. Referencing
Have you looked at the university’s plagiarism policy on the web?
(http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058648.html) Y
Have you used your own words to make your points or, when using the words of Y

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others, used quotation marks and acknowledged your sources, incl. page numbers?
Does the referencing conform to the Harvard Standard? see
https://webapps.library.uow.edu.au/refcite/style-guides/html/ Y
Is the material in the reference list cited in the report and vice versa? Y
6. Presentation
Did you check spelling and grammar? Y
Are the font size, line spacing, margins appropriate (or as required by the subject)? Y
Are any appendices attached? y