Gender and Sustainable Development – A Comprehensive Approach to Achieving Gender Equality

The article discusses the topic of gender and sustainable development from a comprehensive perspective aimed at achieving gender equality. It explores gender as a social and cultural construct, distinct from biological sex, used to analyze differences and social roles between men and women. The article emphasizes that gender is not fixed but is shaped through socialization and diverse cultural contexts. It traces the historical development of the gender concept, evolving from rigid traditional views to a dynamic, multidimensional framework that intersects with class, race, and gender identity. The article then reviews major gender theories, including various strands of feminism, symbolic interactionism, intersectionality, queer theory, and others, explaining how gender roles are constructed and how they influence social relationships and power dynamics. Gender applications are examined across several domains education, labor markets, politics, health, media, and law highlighting persistent gender gaps and challenges, such as stereotypes, wage disparities, and underrepresentation in political spaces. The article proposes practical solutions including reforming educational and legal policies, promoting inclusive media content, and implementing gender-sensitive health and education programs. The article concludes that achieving gender equality is essential for sustainable development and comprehensive social justice. It calls for the dismantling of traditional gender roles and the empowerment of women through inclusive, context-aware reform strategies that reflect the complexity of social and cultural realities.