Promote gender equality and empower women
Officially, men and women have the same rights; this has been established in the international human rights agreements. In practice, it is clear that women suffer from inequality. In the developing countries less girls than boys go to school. Girls are often not sent to school as their parents feel it is unnecessary as the girls are expected to get married and have children as soon as they are old enough. Another reason is that girls are seen as being better at helping around the house. The goal is that in 2015 as many girls as boys will receive primary and secondary education. Traditionally, in the developing countries, women tend to work in the agricultural sector and are underrepresented in all other sectors. This makes the position of women vulnerable. Much of the work in the agricultural sector is unpaid and women do not have the security and social protection of paid work. Women are also under represented in government and the public sector.
Current situation::
More girls to school
The percentage of girls attending primary education compared to the percentage of boys has increased from 87 percent in 1991 to 96 percent in 2007. Especially in South-Asia the progress has been strong. The objective of 100% looks like it will be achieved in many of the regions. In Sub-Sahara Africa and West-Asia (both 90%) the progress has been slowest.
More women in parliament
Worldwide, the political power of women has increased between 1990 and 2008 although men still dominate. The percentage of women in parliament in developing countries increased from 10.4% in 1990 to 16.5% in 2008. In developed countries the percentage grew from 16.3% to 22.6%.
Employment
Between 1990 and 2007 there was a small increase in the amount of women working outside the agricultural sector in most regions apart from North Africa, where the percentage remained 20 percent. In South-Asia, the percentage of women working outside the agricultural sector is 19 percent, Sub-Sahara Africa 29% and Latin-America 43%.