GENDER EQUALITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Women have a vital role to play in the overall development of the nation. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development” (Principle 20, Rio Declaration). There is a dual rationale for promoting gender equality. Firstly, that equality between women and men - equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities is a matter of human rights and social justice. And secondly, that greater equality between women and men is also a precondition for (and effective indicator of) sustainable people-centered development. The perceptions, interests, needs and priorities of both women and men must be taken into consideration not only as a matter of social justice but because they are necessary to enrich development processes” (OSAGI 2001). The research paper highlights on how sustainable development is possible if we achieve Gender Equality. This paper elaborate the role of government in achieveing Gender Equality and Sustainable Development as put up by United Nations in Sustainable Development Goals - 5.