Achieving Sustainable Development through Women’s Empowerment

Economic empowerment for women is about creating opportunities for women to access resources such as finance, property, education and information about what is available in the marketplace. In order to achieve sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we must empower women to participate in the economy. This is necessary because many countries are facing declining populations and women are needed to fill this gap in the labor market.
Economic empowerment is not just a development goal or a prerequisite for the MDGs; it is also a human right. Women’s economic empowerment requires a holistic approach, which addresses socio-political, cultural and educational challenges, which women face. It requires the long-term commitment and participation of various actors in the development process.
In terms of this holistic approach, issues such as family planning, healthcare services, post-primary education for girls, literacy of adult women and political participation of women must be addressed. Economic empowerment for women enables women to orchestrate and design the kind of society in which they want to live and prosper. It gives them a voice in the development process. This kind of empowerment provides the resources and ability to break traditional and cultural barriers, structures and norms, which prevent women from achieving their full potential. The education of girls is one of the most powerful strategies to achieve women’s empowerment. Education provides girls and women with the necessary skills and confidence to break down barriers in all aspects of their lives.
Sustainable development is not just about climate change or the environment in general. It is also about achieving sustainable economic development, which requires the inclusion and participation of women and girls.