Over 850 million women face ‘very poor’ gender equality conditions: Report

A staggering 850 million women and girls worldwide are living under “very poor” conditions for gender equality, according to a newly released report.

The SDG Gender Index, compiled by a coalition of leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs), warns that despite global efforts, no country has achieved the gender equality targets set by the United Nations (UN) for 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These women face severe challenges, including forced pregnancies, child marriages, and exclusion from education—issues prevalent in the 45 countries ranked lowest in the index. The nations span parts of West, Central, and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.