Towards the first generation free of child labour

An integrated and interdependent analysis of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in relation to Target 8.7

5. Gender equality

While the world has achieved progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment under the Millennium Development Goals (including equal access to primary education between girls and boys), women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large.

Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Gender discrimination is expressed in child labour not only in the shape of a special form of violence against girls, but also in the repetition of discriminatory patterns over time from their supposed inability to perform certain tasks to their role as sexual objects without any right over their bodies and decisions. This is compounded by the perception that there are jobs that are typical of their gender, and that girls and women should not attempt to extend themselves beyond these tasks.