Gender equality

Gender equality (also known as equality between women and men) refers to equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for both women and men. Equality does not mean that there is no difference between men and women, instead it means that people’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities should not depend on whether they were born male or female.

Gender equality also means that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into account, recognizing that women are very different from each other, just as men are very different from each other. Gender equality is not an exclusively women’s issue, it must concern and fully involve men as well as women. Equality between women and men is a human rights issue and a condition and indicator of sustainable human-centered development.