SDGs and Gender Equality: UN Interagency Guidance Note for the Europe and Central Asia Region

This guidance note provides information on integrating gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the nationalization and localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Europe and Central Asia region and using gender as accelerator of the implementation of the 2030 Development Agenda. The note draws upon the twin-track approach to gender equality of the SDGs. It highlights the interrelated nature of the SDGs and the importance of the “leave no one behind” principle as the basis for applying a gender lens to all policies and activities to advance the goals at national and local levels. The guidance explores this more in detail and provides useful tips for gender-responsive implementation of the SDGs, with guidance, recommendations and country examples from this region, illustrating successful practices. The guidance note also makes a reference to the Issue Brief on Gender Equality, Women’s Rights and Women’s Empowerment as well as the infographics from the Regional Advocacy Paper.

This guidance note was developed by the United Nations Europe and Central Asia Issue-Based Coalition on Gender Equality (IBC-Gender), consisting of 13 UN agencies and entities at the regional level (FAO, ILO, OHCHR, UNDP, UNECE, UN Environment, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNISDR, UN Women, WFP, WHO), under the overall framework of ECA Regional UN System with Regional UNDG and RCM. The guidance note is also available here.