Social Institutions & Gender Index

Between 2019 and 2023, more and more countries around the world have tackled discriminatory social institutions, notably through legal reforms that protect women’s rights and grant them equal opportunities. 

Changes in social norms have resulted in both progress and setbacks, but they reveal that the biases against women’s economic empowerment have worsened between 2014 and 2022.

 
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are human rights, global health imperatives, and a necessity for inclusive development. Yet, discriminatory laws and social norms are depriving millions of women and adolescents of these rights, with dire health consequences. Crises, conflicts, and the political backlash against gender equality in several countries further limit access and deepen inequalities.

 
Although disproportionately affected by climate change, women and girls are denied a proper role in fighting it: discriminatory laws, social norms, and practices hinder their engagement in climate-resilient agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and the transition to renewable energy. These not only impede women's own climate resilience but also have long-lasting consequences on entire communities. Empowering women as agents of change is crucial for enhancing our collective capacity to tackle the climate emergency, for the benefit of all.