Our Scans · (LF.5) Gender Equality · Weekly Summary

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In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.

• [New] Perhaps most disappointing of all is the continued existence of Women and Gender Equality Canada, which will be getting $500 million over the years 2026 to 2030. Multicultural Meanderings
• [New] Around the globe, conservative and populist movements are actively framing progressive gender norms (like LGBTQ + rights, reproductive autonomy, and gender equality) as threats to traditional values, national identity, and social cohesion. Thinking & Working Politically Community of Practice
• [New] Israel had increasingly employed sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians, including forced public stripping and nudity, sexual harassment including threats of rape, as well as sexual assault. BBC News
• [New] Whether lower courts in the SFFA era will follow the Supreme Court's guidance in Virginia and Califano or treat gender-based affirmative action programs with the heightened skepticism supposedly reserved for their race-based programs remains unclear. California Law Review
• [New] The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a highly anticipated ruling upholding a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors. Healthcare Dive
• [New] As China continues to host international forums on gender inclusion, all eyes will be on whether Xi's government translates words into action by promoting women into its next leadership cycle. Modern Diplomacy
• [New] A climate of impunity exists with regard to sexual and gender-based crimes committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, with the aim of instilling fear into the Palestinian community and expelling them. OHCHR
• Apply a gender lens to economic change: Global trade shifts and economic disruptions often affect women disproportionately. CourtHeath Consulting
• With plans to expand and support at least 1,000 additional startups by 2030, the Hi-Innovator Program is transforming Uganda's entrepreneurial ecosystem while addressing challenges in gender inclusivity and business sustainability. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation
• Industry body the GSMA said in its new report over 800 million women from low and middle-income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, must adopt mobile internet to close the digital gender gap by 2030. Developing Telecoms
• The UK will continue to advocate for investment as a driver of sustainable development, alongside gender equality and climate-smart trade policies. GOV.UK
• Female representation is steadily increasing, and experts predict that by 2030, the gender ratio could reach 1:1 as more diverse communities continue to join. The Social Shepherd
• (Deloitte) Reducing Gender Divide: Targeted inclusion of women through AI-enabled micro-entrepreneurship can expand female labour participation from 37% (2024) to over 45% by 2047. PMF IAS
• Funding for Women and Gender Equality Canada could drop by up to 80% by 2027. Defend Dignity
• The UN has long struggled with a host of threats to multilateral cooperation, including growing disregard for the rule of law, nuclear proliferation, the rise of nationalist policymaking, and backtracking on global climate action and efforts to promote gender equality. International Peace Institute
• The Scottish Government's Women and Girls Fund will deliver grants to women and girl-led organizations across Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia, aiming to contribute to the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The Scottish Government
• Mexico scored 0.61 in the economic participation and opportunity area of the gender gap index in 2025. Statista
• The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad to align with Canada's priorities such as the respect for human rights, diversity and inclusion, gender equality, the rights of Indigenous peoples and commitment to climate change targets. GAC
• Just closing the gender digital divide alone could benefit 343.5 million women and girls worldwide, lift 30 million out of poverty by 2050, and generate an estimated $1.5 trillion boost to global GDP by 2030. The Business Standard

Last updated: 17 November 2025