United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.” The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) success and aim to go further and end all forms of poverty. The new UN Goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich, and middle-income, to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. WIMAGE primarily focuses on SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Ever since the inception and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (advancing the rights of women and gender equality worldwide) in 1995 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by world leaders in September 2015 at the historic UN Global Summits. A lot was and has been promised and manifested from the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals; this includes but is not limited to member state countries promising to implement and adhere and improve gender equality and advance women’s rights, and empowerment across all policies, programs and projects.

However, more than Twenty Seven years later, the majority of the member countries still fall under the proposed goals, in fact, most countries are still yet to document significant progress or success in many of the proposed efforts; to empower and capacitate women to achieve gender equality and reduce inequality. Ideally, women in most countries across the world are still struggling to have their most basic rights recognized and protected; economic, social, political, and developmental aspects still fall low on the proposed goals.

Women and girls must have equal rights and opportunities and live free of violence and discrimination. Women’s equality and empowerment are among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and integral to all-inclusive and sustainable development dimensions. In fact, most SDGs depend on the realization of Goal 5. Gender equality by 2030 requires urgent action to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination that still curtail women’s rights in private and public spheres. For example, discriminatory laws must change and legislation adopted to advance equality proactively.

While more women have entered political positions in recent years, including through special quotas, they still hold a mere 23.7 percent of parliamentary seats, far short of parity, infact, as of 2023, only 25 countries globally are led by women. The situation is not much better in the private sector, where women occupy less than a third of senior, middle management, and executive positions globally.

Women In Monitoring & Auditing Global Elections (WIMAGE Organization) seeks to serve women, states, and civil society better by enhancing the transparency and accountability of the member state countries in their efforts to implement the three central United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with respect to the 4th UN Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action Summit;

SDG 4: Quality Education.

We provide sanitation, books, training, and workshops to young girls, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their education. We believe that through education, girls will thrive in leadership roles in their communities. We also emphasize the importance of education for girls and women, advocating for equal access to education and addressing barriers such as poverty and discrimination. Furthermore, we conduct research and provide evidence-based solutions to improve the quality of education, especially for marginalized groups. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to the achievement of SDG 4 and ensure that education is accessible, equitable, and of high quality for all.

SDG 5: Gender Equality.

WIMAGE promotes Gender Equality through various programs and initiatives that focus on empowering women and girls, advocating for their rights and equal participation in all aspects of society. We provide leadership and capacity-building training to women and young girls and also work to eliminate discriminatory laws and practices that hinder equitable representation. Through our election monitoring and public audit initiatives, we ensure that women’s political rights are respected and protected. We also conduct research and provide evidence-based solutions to address gender inequalities in different sectors such as education, employment, and healthcare. By promoting gender equality, we aim to contribute to the achievement of SDG 5 and create a more equitable and just world for all genders. All our efforts are directed to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.

SDG 10: Reduce Inequality.

WIMAGE works to reduce inequalities by advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, particularly women and youths. We provide support and resources for vulnerable communities to close the gap between different social and economic groups. Through our programs, we aim to promote equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. We also conduct research and provide evidence-based solutions to address systemic inequalities that hinder social and economic progress. By working towards reduced inequalities, we aim to contribute to the achievement of SDG 10 and create a more inclusive and just society.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

WIMAGE promotes Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by advocating for the active participation of women and youth in decision-making processes, promoting good governance, and fostering transparent and accountable democratic practices. Through our programs and initiatives, we seek to ensure that marginalized groups, such as women and youths, have a voice in policy-making and have access to justice and fair representation. Our election monitoring and public audit initiatives also contribute to ensuring that elections are free, fair, and transparent, promoting peace and stability. By supporting the development of strong institutions, we aim to contribute to the achievement of SDG 16 and create a more peaceful and just world.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

WIMAGE promotes Partnerships for the Goals by partnering with various organizations, governments, and stakeholders to advance our mission of promoting inclusive governance and democratic practices. We collaborate with civil society organizations, international bodies, and local communities to create awareness and advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and youths. Our partnerships also allow us to conduct research and provide solutions that are relevant and effective in addressing gender inequalities and promoting democratic governance. By fostering partnerships, we aim to contribute to the achievement of SDG 17 and create a more interconnected and collaborative world.