"Women and Sustainable Development" is a rich and highly relevant field of research and development concept. It emphasizes the central position of women in the process of sustainable development, as well as the close connection between gender equality and sustainable development.
SDGs Universities Platform will help this Hub achieve its objectives (teaching and research), including but not limited to:
Curriculum Development and Case - based Learning
The platform should integrate resources from multiple disciplines to develop comprehensive courses. For example, courses like "Research on Women and Sustainable Development Policies "that combine sociology, economics, environmental science, etc., can be offered to comprehensively expound on the roles and challenges of women in various aspects of sustainable development. Meanwhile, a wealth of practical cases, such as community-led ecological protection projects led by women, should be incorporated into the teaching. Students can be guided to analyse and discuss these cases, cultivating their ability to solve practical problems.
Research Funding and International Collaboration
On the research front, the platform can set up special research funds to encourage teachers and students to focus on key issues. For instance, in-depth research can be carried out on topics like women's economic participation in emerging green industries and the allocation of public health resources under gender differences. Additionally, leveraging the platform's international advantages, an international cooperation network can be established. Universities and research institutions from around the world can be united to jointly conduct large-scale transnational research projects. By integrating diverse data and perspectives, globally influential research results can be produced.
Faculty Development and Student Cultivation
To enhance the quality of teaching, the platform should strengthen the construction of the teaching staff. Teachers should be regularly organized to participate in training related to "women and sustainable development". Renowned international scholars can be invited to share cutting-edge research findings and teaching experiences, improving teachers' professional proficiency and teaching skills. At the same time, teachers are encouraged to participate in international academic exchanges to broaden their international perspectives and integrate the latest research trends into teaching content. In terms of student cultivation, special scholarships can be set up to motivate more students to engage in the study and research of this field. Moreover, activities such as academic competitions and research projects can be carried out to provide students with practical opportunities and improve their research capabilities and innovative thinking.
Technology Integration and Resource Sharing
Modern information technology should be fully utilized. A virtual laboratory can be created on the platform. Through technologies such as virtual reality(VR) and augmented reality(AR),students and researchers can simulate the actual scenarios of women in sustainable development in different regions for data collection and analysis. This breaks through time and space limitations and improves research efficiency. Big data analysis can also be employed to integrate relevant research materials, case data, etc., from around the world, establishing a comprehensive database for resource sharing. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence technology can be used to mine and analyse data, providing accurate information support for teaching and research, and promoting knowledge innovation and dissemination in the "women and sustainable development" field.
Establishing Communication and Result - Transformation Mechanisms
The platform needs to establish communication and result-transformation mechanisms. Regular online and offline academic seminars should be held to promote the exchange of ideas among teachers, students, scholars, and industry experts. This can accelerate the transformation of research results into teaching content and policy recommendations, realizing a virtuous interaction between teaching and research, and comprehensively promoting the development and progress of the "women and sustainable development" field on the SDG University Platform.
Queen Mary University of London, England, United Kingdom
Economic Dimension:The full participation and development of women in the economic field is a crucial part of this concept.In the job market,women face numerous obstacles.For example,occupational segregation is widespread,with a large number of women concentrated in low-income and low-skill jobs,and it is difficult for them to enter high-paying industries traditionally dominated by men,such as technology,finance,and engineering.The gender pay gap also persists,with women often receiving lower pay than men even when doing the same job.To achieve women's participation in sustainable development,it is necessary to eliminate these discriminatory factors,create equal employment opportunities for women, encourage them to enter diverse fields,and give full play to their potential.At the same time,in terms of entrepreneurship,providing women with equal access to resources such as start up capital,business training,and market information can stimulate women's entrepreneurial enthusiasm,drive employment growth,inject new vitality and creativity into the economy,and promote the diversification and sustainable growth of the economy.
Social Dimension:The development of women at the social level encompasses many key areas such as education,health, rights protection,and social participation.Education is the cornerstone for enhancing women's capabilities and status.Ensuring that girls receive high-quality basic education and promoting equal opportunities for women in higher education and vocational training can cultivate a large number of high-quality talents for society and enhance women's competitiveness in various fields of society.In terms of health,paying attention to women's reproductive health,mental health,and general medical care needs not only concerns the well-being of individual women but also has a profound impact on the health and stability of families and society.In terms of rights protection, eliminating gender-based violence and ensuring women's equal rights in marriage,family property inheritance,social welfare,etc.in laws and social customs is an important manifestation of social fairness and justice.Moreover,women's active participation in social affairs,community governance,cultural construction, and other activities can provide unique perspectives and effective solutions to various social problems,promoting social harmony and progress.
Environmental Dimension:Women play an indispensable role in environmental protection and natural resource management.In many communities,especially in rural areas,women are responsible for tasks closely related to natural resources,such as obtaining water resources,managing household energy use,and engaging in agricultural production.They have accumulated rich ecological knowledge and resource management experience through long-term practice.Encouraging women to participate in the formulation of environmental policies and the planning and implementation of environmental projects can give full play to their wisdom and strength,making environmental protection measures more in line with actual needs and improving the pertinence and effectiveness of environmental protection.At the same time,advocating that women practice sustainable lifestyles such as green consumption and resource conservation can drive more people to pay attention to and participate in environmental protection at the family and community levels,creating a good atmosphere for environmental protection and promoting the entire society to develop in an environmentally friendly direction.
Sustainable development goals
The characteristics of women and sustainable development in various aspects are closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),contributing to global sustainable development in multiple dimensions.
SDG1:No Poverty:Women are a significant part of the poor population. In many poverty-stricken regions around the world,women are more vulnerable to poverty due to discrimination they face in employment opportunities,wage treatment,and property acquisition.Empowering women economically,such as providing vocational training and entrepreneurial support,enables them to obtain stable incomes,which helps reduce the number of female poor and,in turn,promotes the overall poverty - reduction goal.
SDG3:Good Health and Well-being:Paying attention to women's health is one of the key points of this goal.This includes ensuring that women have access to comprehensive medical services,such as reproductive health services,maternal health care,and services for preventing and treating common female diseases.Additionally,women's mental health is of great importance as they play multiple roles in families and society and face different sources of stress.Improving women's health levels contributes to enhancing the well-being of the entire family and society.
SDG4:Quality Education:Guaranteeing the right of girls and women to receive education is crucial.Education provides women with more opportunities and choices,helping them out of poverty and dependence.Ensuring that girls have equal access to basic education and providing adult women with opportunities for vocational education and lifelong learning can improve women's knowledge and skills,enabling them to better participate in various fields such as the economy,society,and the environment.
SDG5:Gender Equality:This is the core goal of“Women and Sustainable Development”.It involves eliminating gender discrimination in all aspects such as employment,education,political participation,and family affairs.Ensuring that women have equal representation in the decision-making process,whether at the family,community,or national level,is of great significance for formulating fair and just policies and plans and promoting the overall sustainable development of society.
SDG10:Reduced Inequalities:The focus is on reducing inequalities between genders.This includes narrowing the gaps between men and women in income,wealth,opportunities,and power.By promoting gender-equal policies and projects,such as providing equal education and training opportunities and formulating anti-discrimination laws,a more equitable social environment can be created to facilitate sustainable development.
In conclusion,"Women and Sustainable Development" aims to comprehensively enhance the status of women,promote gender equality,enable women to fully participate in and drive the coordinated and sustainable development of the economy,society,and environment,and achieve the fairness,prosperity,and progress of human society.
Education and Skills Training
Research shows that improving women's educational level can not only directly promote gender equality but also have a profound impact on economic growth, health improvement, and social stability. However, in many regions around the world, women still face numerous obstacles in accessing education. For example, gender biases lead to unequal distribution of educational resources, and the phenomenon of early marriage and early pregnancy increases the dropout rate of girls. Moreover, with the rapid development of technology, skills training has become increasingly crucial for women to integrate into the modern economic system. Nevertheless, women often lag behind men in acquiring digital skills and technical training, which restricts their employment opportunities in emerging industries and high-value-added positions.(Jin Huashan. Analysis on the Situation of Women's Lifelong Education in South Korea and the Practice of Yanbian University's Women's Research Center in Promoting Women's Lifelong Education in Yanbian Area in Cooperation with South Korea.）
Health and Well-being
The health of women is directly related to the sustainable development of families and society. In the field of reproductive health, although some progress has been made globally in improving maternal health care, the maternal mortality rate remains relatively high in some developing countries. There are also issues such as uneven distribution of medical resources and poor accessibility to high-quality medical services. Mental health is equally important. Women are more prone to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression when facing life pressures, career difficulties, and social expectations. However, the relevant mental health services and support systems are not perfect. In addition, the impact of social and cultural factors on women's health behaviours and concepts has also become a key research focus. For instance, traditional concepts restrict women's physical exercise and healthy diet.
Economic Participation and Development
When re-examining the role of women in the process of economic transformation, research has found that the past assessment of women's contribution to economic work through labour force participation has been underestimated. In fact, the contribution of women's labour force participation rate to economic work is significantly higher than previously estimated. The importance of commercialized housework and care work has become increasingly prominent, emerging as a key factor in enhancing women's economic contribution. In the field of paid work, the participation of men and women in paid agricultural work shows certain internal correlations and substitution characteristics. It is worth noting that although women play an important role in agricultural economic activities, the impact of a crucial factor-land access-on women's economic participation has long been overlooked. This finding provides a theoretical basis for formulating more targeted policies to promote women's fuller participation in agriculture and other economic sectors in the future.(UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. "SDG Progress: 2023 Gender Snapshot")
Climate Change and Gender Equality
In the process of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality still faces many severe challenges. From the perspective of climate change, its impact on women shows significant gender differences. In predictions of extreme climate scenarios, the number of women falling into poverty and suffering from food insecurity due to climate change far exceeds that of men. This is mainly because women often occupy a relatively disadvantaged position in the social and economic structure, with limited abilities to access resources and cope with disasters. In addition, the situation of elderly women in terms of poverty, exposure to violence, and access to pensions is also not optimistic. Compared with elderly men, they face more difficulties in life. This series of research results emphasizes the urgency and importance of fully considering gender factors in the process of addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.（Research on the Impact of Climate Change on Women and Their Adaptation Strategies Based on Rural Community Samples.）
Gender Finance and Sustainable Development
As an important path to promote sustainable development, gender finance has received extensive attention. It aims to address a series of problems faced by women in the economic field, such as poverty, insufficient economic participation, wage gaps, and difficulties in accessing financial services. By providing targeted financial services and products, it can enhance women's economic empowerment and promote their deeper participation in economic activities.However,currently,the development of gender finance faces a series of challenges. These include the lack of complete gender- disaggregated statistical data, resulting in inaccurate understanding of women's financial needs and economic situations; the general lack of awareness of gender finance in all sectors of society, restricting the promotion of relevant policies and projects; and the absence of a clear leading government agency, making the formulation and implementation of policies lack coherence and coordination. Nevertheless, the current stable economic environment, the continuously improving policy foundation, and the rapid development of emerging finance have also brought new opportunities for the breakthrough and development of gender finance.（APEC. "Insights into the Value of Women in Sustainable Consumption and Production".）
Addressing Unbalanced Economic Development
Globally, there is still much room for improvement in women's economic participation. According to data from the International Labour Organization, the female labour force participation rate is lower than that of men, and the proportion of women in high-income positions is low. In rural areas of developing countries, women engage in agricultural production. However, due to the lack of land ownership, they find it difficult to access agricultural loans and advanced technologies, which restricts agricultural output and income growth. Increasing women's economic participation can tap into huge economic potential. For example, encouraging women to participate in emerging industries can optimize the economic structure and increase the labour supply. Narrowing the gender pay gap is also crucial. In OECD countries, on average, women's wages are 13% lower than men's. Eliminating this gap can increase household income, boost consumption, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Coping with Climate Change
Women have a unique perception and response to climate change. In some parts of Africa, women are responsible for collecting water for their families. During droughts, they can better understand the impact of water shortages. However, women are under-represented in climate change decision-making. Increasing women's participation in decision-making can lead to more effective strategies. For example, in community forest protection projects, the involvement of women can enhance the effectiveness of biodiversity protection. At the same time, it is crucial to help women improve their ability to cope with climate change. In extreme weather events such as hurricanes and floods, women are more affected due to their social roles and limited access to resources. Providing women with disaster-response training and resources can enhance their resilience and reduce the risk of increased poverty.
Promoting Social Equity and Inclusion
Gender equality is a core element of social fairness. Traditional gender concepts restrict women's development. In the field of education, a large number of girls around the world still cannot receive a complete education, which limits their future career choices and personal development. Breaking these constraints and providing women with equal opportunities in education, employment, etc., can create a more just social environment. Paying attention to the rights and interests of vulnerable groups such as elderly women is also essential. Elderly women are at a higher risk of poverty due to factors such as longer life expectancy and insufficient pension accumulation. Ensuring their rights and interests in pensions, healthcare, etc., can reduce the gap between different social groups and improve the overall social welfare level.
Expanding Access to Financial Services
In many countries, women face obstacles in accessing financial services. Research by the International Finance Corporation shows that approximately 2 billion adults in developing countries are not covered by formal financial services, with a high proportion of women. Providing micro-credit to female entrepreneurs can help them start small businesses, create job opportunities, and boost economic activity. Promoting gender-inclusive finance by developing financial products and services tailored to women's needs can build a more inclusive financial system, reduce financial exclusion due to gender factors, and enable more women to benefit from financial services, achieving economic independence and development.
Responding to Public Health Crises
In various public health crises, women play multiple key roles but also face unique challenges. Take the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. Women account for a high proportion in the medical and nursing industries. They are on the front line of the fight against the epidemic, bearing huge work pressure and infection risks. However, due to issues such as unequal distribution of protective supplies, female medical staff face a higher risk of occupational exposure. At the same time, during the pandemic, measures such as school closures and working from home have increased women's family care responsibilities, such as taking care of children and the elderly. This not only affects their work commitment but also has a negative impact on their physical and mental health.
Paying attention to the situation of women in public health crises helps to improve public health policies. On the one hand, when allocating resources, fully consider the needs of women to ensure that female medical staff receive sufficient protective supplies. On the other hand, provide family support services, such as setting up temporary childcare and elderly care service points, to reduce the family burden of women during the crisis, enabling them to better respond to public health crises and maintain the overall public health security of society.
Ensuring Food Security
Women play an indispensable role in the global food production and supply system. In developing countries, rural women are the main force in agricultural production, participating in all aspects such as sowing, irrigation, and harvesting. However, women are at a significant disadvantage in accessing agricultural resources and technologies. For example, compared with men, it is more difficult for women to obtain agricultural loans, purchase advanced agricultural equipment and high-quality seeds, and they also have fewer opportunities to receive agricultural technical training, which limits the improvement of agricultural production efficiency.
Promoting the development of women in the field of food production can effectively ensure food security. Increasing investment in agricultural technical training for rural women and providing them with equal access to agricultural loans will help improve crop yields and quality. At the same time, encouraging women to participate in agricultural product processing and sales can extend the agricultural industry chain, increase the added value of agriculture, and enhance the food security level of families and communities.
INVITATION KEYNOTE LECTURE The Leadership Role of Arab Women in Public Policy and Sustainability Part of WASD’s Women and Sustainability Program (https://women.wasd.org.uk/) Dr Randa Diab-Bahman (https://sdgswhoswho.org/listing/randa-diab-bahman/) Kuwait Technical College, Kuwait…
Queen Mary University of London, England, United Kingdom
