TheCable

The Bill & Melinda French Gates Foundation (BMGF) says it is still possible to achieve the global agenda for sustainable development goals (SDGs) if new approaches are adopted to tackle challenges.

The Gates Foundation said this in its sixth annual goalkeepers report tagged ‘The Future of Progress’, published on Tuesday.

The report, co-authored by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, proposed new approaches to addressing food crisis, the impact of climate change, and gender inequality.

Melinda French Gates, in her essay, said women are far from achieving gender equality, adding that women need to be given more power in their families and communities.

“The world faces many challenges—some of which may seem insurmountable. Yet, despite the setbacks, I’m filled with hope that we can solve these problems together and save millions of lives through human ingenuity and innovation,” she said.

“We know progress is possible because the global community has faced difficult odds before and won. And we can do it again.

“When it comes to the future of progress—not just on the global goals related to gender equality but on those on good health, quality education, ending poverty, and more—there is one engine that can drive them all: women’s power.

“The truth is, we were never on track to reach SDG 5—global gender equality—by 2030. Development experts knew this before they even finalized the goals. But today, halfway to our deadline, progress remains slow, even stalling. Our data partner Equal Measures 2030 now estimates the world won’t reach gender equality until at least 2108—three generations later than we’d hoped.

“Many women in low-income countries earn a living through informal work, which means they have to weather economic crises without a regular paycheck, paid leave, or unemployment insurance. Many of them resort to survival strategies that entrap them in poverty: A 2021 study of women in the informal workforce found that 52% had drawn from savings, 46% borrowed money, and 17% sold or pawned assets to survive the pandemic.”

Speaking on the impact of the global food crisis on Africa, Bill Gates said the Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted food importation.

“The world should be generous and prevent people from going hungry, but in another sense, it doesn’t solve the larger problem. The goal should not simply be giving more food aid. It should be to ensure no aid is needed in the first place,” he said.

Suzman Mark, CEO of Gates Foundation, called on governments, the private sector and civil society organisations (CSOs) to continue to invest in tools and data to ensure every citizen is given the chance to a healthy life.

“At this historical inflection point, how the world responds to setbacks is a choice that will impact what happens now and for generations to come. Millions of lives hang in the balance,” he said.

“We call on governments, the private sector, civil society, and philanthropic organisations to do more to meet the ambitious goals and to keep investing in new ways of thinking, new tools and data, and proven solutions to ensure every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.”