Introduction

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5 or Global Goal 5) aims to achieve gender equality by ending all forms of discrimination, violence and any harmful practices against women and girls in the public and private spheres. It also calls for the full participation of women and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of political and economic decision-making. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

In the last five years, the Kingdom passed a series of rulings to improve the rights of women. In 2017, the ban on women driving was lifted34. Over 48 thousand Saudi women have been issued a driver’s license since then. In 2019, the Kingdom allowed women to travel independently once they turn 21, obtaining a passport without the permission of male guardians, registering their children’s births as well as both marriages and divorces35. Authorities regulated equal pay between genders and the right to work without facing any kind of discrimination. Women were also allowed to join the Armed Forces36 and do not need permission to study, get a job or get surgery. In 2020, KSA banned marriages under 18, regardless of gender. In addition, anyone between 15-18 needs to obtain permission from a court for marriage. Although child marriages sometimes include boys, these changes were mainly aimed at improving the rights of girls. Lastly, the Kingdom’s laws and regulations guarantee full and equal access to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education on HIV and HPV to 75% of women and men aged 15 years and older37. Still, women and girls continue to be one of the most vulnerable groups, with over a third of the human rights observations and recommendations made since 2008 (Kuncic, 2021, see Social Exclusion Analysis).

Gender equality is a fundamental and inviolable human right and women’s and girls’ empowerment is essential to expand economic growth, promote social development and enhance business performance. The full incorporation of women’s capacities into labor forces would add percentage points to most national growth rates – double digits in many cases. Further, investing in women’s empowerment produces the double dividend of benefiting women and children, and is pivotal to the health and social development of families, communities and nations.

Empowering women and girls and achieving gender equality requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including business. All companies have baseline responsibilities to respect human rights, including the rights of women and girls. Beyond these baseline responsibilities, companies also have the opportunity to support the empowerment of women and girls through core business, social investment, public policy engagement and partnerships. As the engine for 90 percent of jobs in developing countries, technological innovation, capital creation and investment, responsible business is critical to the advancement of women’s and girls’ empowerment around the world. With a growing business case, private sector leaders are increasingly developing and adapting policies and practices, and implementing cutting edge initiatives, to advance women’s empowerment within their workplaces, marketplaces and communities. The launch of the SDGs in September provides a tremendous opportunity for companies to further align their strategies and operations with global priorities by mainstreaming gender equality into all areas of corporate sustainability and systematically and strategically scaling up actions which support the development and livelihoods of women and girls.