With the expiration of MDGs at the end of 2015, UN member states have approved the sustainable development goals (SDGs) which replace these. The SDGs are a new, universal set of goals, targets and indicators that UN member states are expected to use to frame their agendas and political policies over the next 15 years. Following an extensive period of consultation with a wide range of actors through the World We Want 2015 process, there are currently 17 goals with corresponding targets. After sustained pressure from women’s organizations and UN Women, Goal 5 represents a standalone goal for gender equality, entitled ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’. Targets are much broader than the MDG3 framework, acknowledging the importance of the Beijing Platform for Action and adopting a more transformative approach.
