Gender equality at the G20: Turning promises into progress

AS PART OF the global logistics and business community, I see every day how decisions made by G20 economies influence opportunity across sectors.

- SHABNUM DAWOOD

These choices shape whether people, especially women can access credit, find decent work, and rely on social safety nets during challenges times. With South Africa chairing the G20 for the first time, we have an opportunity to turn aspirations around gender equality and inclusive growth into a sustained action.

That said, the global picture shows how much work remains. Only 17% of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are currently on track to be achieved by 2030, and over a third show little or no progress. Goal 5, focused on gender equality, continues to face significant barriers. As economic pressures mount and governments navigate rising debt and changing global priorities, it's often services linked to education, health, and women’s empowerment that experiences setbacks.

We can't afford for gender inclusion to fall off the agenda. When women participate in economic decision making, entire systems benefit. Policies become more inclusive and responsive. Diverse leadership isn’t just the right thing to do, it improves business resilience and performance.

Making gender equality central to economic policy