SDG Goals on Health, Gender Far from Achieved

Audrey Galawu, ZimNow Reporter

As the world approaches 2030, the promises made under the Sustainable Development Goals hang in the balance. SDG-3, which focuses on health and well-being, and SDG-5, which champions gender equality, are deeply interconnected.

Yet progress has been uneven, and in many places, anti-rights and anti-gender movements threaten the gains already made.

Shobha Shukla, Founder Executive Director of CNS, reminded global leaders that the clock is ticking.

“Would world leaders honour their commitment to deliver on SDG-3 and SDG-5?” she asked, highlighting the rising threats against gender equality and the human right to health.

In Nepal, Dr. Bikash Devkota, Secretary of the Department of Health and Population, offered a story of hope. Despite frequent crises—from earthquakes to the COVID-19 pandemic—Nepal has made remarkable strides in health.

Life expectancy has risen from 28 years in 1954 to 72 years in 2021.

Maternal deaths have fallen by more than 70%, and neonatal mortality has been cut by more than half. Central to this success is the “Aama” programme, which removes financial barriers for maternal care, supported by 52,000 female community health volunteers reaching even the most remote villages.

“Progress is possible, but only if we hold ourselves accountable,” Dr. Devkota said. His words highlight the importance of equity, community ownership, and strong policies in driving real change.

Yet the story is not the same everywhere. Kavutha Mutua, a High Court lawyer and founder of The Legal Caravan in Kenya, warned of powerful anti-gender movements undermining progress.

Laws that once promoted sexual and reproductive health have been rolled back, and young women face rising barriers to education and healthcare. Mutua emphasized the need for flexible funding, creative solutions, and public campaigns to defend gains made in gender equality.

Across Africa, Benedicta Oyedayo Oyewole of the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa stressed that slow progress has real consequences.

“Every maternal death is not only a personal tragedy. It is a blow to families, communities, and national development,” she said. Oyewole outlined four urgent priorities: invest in primary healthcare, end gender-based violence and child marriages, fund community-led organizations, and protect progress against shocks like pandemics or conflicts.

In Asia-Pacific, Anjali Shinoi of ARROW highlighted similar struggles. Maternal mortality remains high in many countries, access to safe abortion is limited, and child marriage persists. Climate change, pandemics, and conflict further threaten the health of women and girls, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.

Shinoi called for legal reforms backed by adequate funding, inclusive health systems, and reliable data to ensure no one is left behind.

Thailand offers a beacon of progress, according to Matcha Phorn-In, Founder Executive Director of Sangsan Anakot Yaowachon.

“Equitable representation in decision-making spaces is the first key to success,” Phorn-In said, noting that laws alone are not enough without inclusive leadership.

Grassroots initiatives also offer hope. Lisbeth Aarup from Humana People to People India shared the story of the SWEET project, which empowers street women affected by TB and HIV.

By forming small support groups, these women become peer educators, reduce stigma, and improve health literacy in their communities.

The stories from Nepal, Kenya, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Thailand, and India reveal a shared truth: progress on health and gender equality is possible when women, communities, and governments work together.

Yet the challenges are real—shrinking funding, political rollbacks, and systemic inequalities threaten to leave the most vulnerable behind.

As the 80th United Nations General Assembly approaches, these voices call on global leaders to do more than make promises.

They demand action, accountability, and investment so that by 2030, no woman dies giving birth, no girl is forced into marriage, and every person has access to health and dignity.