Measuring Gender Inequality in Sustainable Development Goals

Background/Purpose: The magnitude of social, economic, and environmental impact of climate change and the scope of loss of essential ecosystems have been linked to the higher numbers and levels of floods, droughts, and devastated landscapes and livelihoods around the globe (Hansen, et al., 2013). These climate devastations have dire consequences, such as conflicts and wars, refugees and displacements, and food shortages (Sachs, 2008). Among those most affected are usually girls and women.  Women’s knowledge, their capabilities, and their impact of collective action can have a potential impact in enhancing the socio-economic and environmental development, globally (Women’s Survey, 2014). Given these, there’s no doubt that promoting gender equality is the key to sustainable development (Kevane, 2012). However, there are limitations in existing measures and the most lauded index-Gender Inequality Index (GII) only captures disparities in health, empowerment, and formal labor-force participation. It fails to capture the informal labor-force, inequality in access to technology, and environmental inequality which relate to some of the sub-goals included in the Sustainable Development Goals to achieve gender equality. The objective of this study is to create a standardized Sustainability Adjusted Gender Inequality Index (SAGII) that captures these factors.

Method: The current study uses secondary aggregated cross-national secondary data collected by World Bank (2016) over a period of 2012-2014 in support of different partner institutions. Sample size for this study is (N=155) countries for which the GII is available for the year 2014. Multiple-imputation method and log transformation were used to address the missing data and outliers. These datasets are collected through complex surveys using large nation-wide probability samples of people employing strategies such as cluster sampling or stratification of population for each country (Heeringa, West, & Berglund, 2010). The approach used in this study is much concerned with women agency and their well-being. The study used standardized composite method to construct the scale.

Results: To construct the standardized SAGII, the proxy variables, malnourishment, financial account, and digital technology access were used. The final comprehensive scale was calculated using the association-sensitive inequality measures based upon general means different orders with values between 0 to 1.  Higher values indicated higher inequalities and higher loss to human development as in the case of GII. Finally, country rankings on SAGII and GII were compared.

Conclusion: This study points towards the steps for social work practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in addressing broader theory and methodology to address the planetary health within the gender inequality dynamics. Using appropriate indicators of development that are disaggregated to represent women and girls, in private and public space, may advance the rate of addressing inequalities, while fully realizing the human rights at the center of new global policies.