SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls


Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

 

Target 5.2: Eliminate all fo rms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

 

Target 5.5: Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

 

Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences

 

Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at all levels

  

UNODC supports Member States to reach the Targets under SDG 5 by: promoting access to justice for women and girls; supporting the development of legislation and policies that protect their rights and prevent as well as respond to violence against women and girls; developing institutional and professional capacities relevant to respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of women and girls; and creating the conditions for women and girls to be in a position to claim their rights and be active agents of change.

Further, UNODC monitors violence against women by collecting data from Member States and by assisting them to conduct surveys on the topic. These can provide important evidence to address violence against and intentional killing of women.

UNODC also works to improve the protection of women and girls through its work in tackling trafficking in persons, of whom 70 percent are women and girls. 

The Office's global work on the prevention of drug use and the treatment of drug use disorders specifically addresses the unique needs of women and girls, within a framework of human rights. Its HIV programmes advocate for gender-responsive HIV services for women who inject drugs and women in prisons, and addresses the special needs of women who inject drugs.

With a view to supporting States in countering unique legal and human rights challenges surrounding terrorism, UNODC and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) launched in 2016 a new technical assistance initiative on gender dimensions in criminal justice responses to terrorism.

Further, under Target 5.6, UNODC includes activities in its field-level programmes that support Drop-in-Centers and their drug users/referrals through providing coverage of sexual protection means. 

The empowerment of women is also at the core of the Office's alternative development programmes.

Moreover, through all its programmes, UNODC works towards Target 5.5.