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09-25-15 | Wendy Gutierrez, Policy and Communications Associate

New Sustainable Development Goals Announced

Young woman holding sign that says 'stop violence against women'

This weekend, countries from across the globe will convene at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development to formally adopt a new agenda that aims to end poverty, reduce inequality, and prevent violence against women and girls. The 2030 Agenda, which includes 169 targets and 17 goals—called the Sustainable Development Goals—is the most comprehensive framework for global sustainable development ever designed.

In comparison to their predecessors (the Millennium Development Goals), the Sustainable Development Goals represent a significant step forward in highlighting the important role that gender equity plays in the development process. The new agenda includes a stand-alone goal on gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, and includes gender-sensitive targets in other goals.

There can’t be true sustainable development if women and children are not safe, and able to participate in their societies.

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda is a step forward in our efforts to help prevent and end violence against women across the globe. FUTURES, along with our community of partners and allies, have worked to take action against gender-based violence—a rampant issue that affects 1 out of 3 women globally. The inclusion of gender equity into the Sustainable Development Goals signifies a cohesive international aspiration to address global gender-based violence.

Here at home in the United States, we’re advocating for Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act. By working from the top-down to change the law of the land, and the bottom-up to change social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence, the International Violence Against Women Act will help tackle violence against women and girls at its core. There can’t be true sustainable development if women and children are not safe, and able to participate in their societies.

To help ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals are met, ask your Members of Congress to support and pass the International Violence Against Women Act!

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