Why focus on gender equality in the post-2015 agenda?

There is no chance of making poverty history without significant and rapid improvements to the lives of women and girls in all countries. Millennium Development Goal 3 – “to promote gender equalityand empower women” – signalled global recognition that this is both an important development goal in itself, and a key to the success of all the other goals.

The post-2015 framework presents a unique opportunity to build on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while also addressing the dimensions that lag behind. It is time to act now – to increase both the political will and the resources to achieve full and lasting gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights.