10.2 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
233
Gender inequality plays a critical role in the perpetuation of poverty and its
associated risks. Women are at an increased risk of poverty compared to men and
the negative effects of poverty are most damaging during and prior to pregnancy.
This has a net effect on the educational outcomes, participation, and chances of a
better income for women. The main challenges undermining achievement of poverty
eradication are growing inequality, fragile statehood, and climate change effects.
Achieving this goal would be a step toward achieving sustainability.
How has your community benefitted from the Goal 1? What steps can you
take to support the efforts being made towards achieving this goal?
10.2.2 Goal 2: Zero Hunger
The major objective of this goal is to “end hunger, achieve improved nutrition and
food security, and enhance sustainable agriculture” (United Nations nd) The goal
seeks to enable all nations to end all forms of malnutrition and hunger by 2030. To
end hunger, the best way has been identified as doubling agricultural productivity
and the income of food producers, particularly indigenous peoples and women, by
ensuring sustainable food production systems, and enhancing the quality of land
and soil. Globally, agriculture remains a major employer, and provides livelihoods
for at least 40% of people globally (Le Blanc 2015). In developing states, it is
estimated that 43% of the agricultural labor force is composed of women, and this
number increases to 50% in Africa and Asia. Unfortunately, inequity undermines
development partly because women only possess 20% of the land (Le Blanc 2015).
The other targets in this goal tackle the maintenance of genetic seed diversity,
increased access to land, the prevention of trade restriction as well as the elimination
of waste. One in nine undernourished children lives within developing states (see
Fig. 10.3). Undernutrition is among the major causes of child mortality (45%) in
children less than 5 years. On the other hand, chronic malnutrition affects about
155 million children globally and stunts their development. Regarding the progress
of this goal, it is estimated that only twenty-two UN member states were on track
to meet the goal of eliminating malnourishment and undernourishment by the end
of 2017 (Le Blanc 2015). Of these countries, 20% have not made any substantial
progress and about 70% do not have sufficient data to ascertain their progress
(Le Blanc 2015). A 2013 report made by the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) suggested that there is need to re-orientate the focus of SDGs
from ending poverty by 2030 to the elimination of undernutrition and hunger by
2025 (IFPRI 2013). This recommendation is founded on experiences drawn from
Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, and China. The main objectives for achieving this are
identified as: improving nutrition and social protection, expanding agriculture, and
233
Gender inequality plays a critical role in the perpetuation of poverty and its
associated risks. Women are at an increased risk of poverty compared to men and
the negative effects of poverty are most damaging during and prior to pregnancy.
This has a net effect on the educational outcomes, participation, and chances of a
better income for women. The main challenges undermining achievement of poverty
eradication are growing inequality, fragile statehood, and climate change effects.
Achieving this goal would be a step toward achieving sustainability.
How has your community benefitted from the Goal 1? What steps can you
take to support the efforts being made towards achieving this goal?
10.2.2 Goal 2: Zero Hunger
The major objective of this goal is to “end hunger, achieve improved nutrition and
food security, and enhance sustainable agriculture” (United Nations nd) The goal
seeks to enable all nations to end all forms of malnutrition and hunger by 2030. To
end hunger, the best way has been identified as doubling agricultural productivity
and the income of food producers, particularly indigenous peoples and women, by
ensuring sustainable food production systems, and enhancing the quality of land
and soil. Globally, agriculture remains a major employer, and provides livelihoods
for at least 40% of people globally (Le Blanc 2015). In developing states, it is
estimated that 43% of the agricultural labor force is composed of women, and this
number increases to 50% in Africa and Asia. Unfortunately, inequity undermines
development partly because women only possess 20% of the land (Le Blanc 2015).
The other targets in this goal tackle the maintenance of genetic seed diversity,
increased access to land, the prevention of trade restriction as well as the elimination
of waste. One in nine undernourished children lives within developing states (see
Fig. 10.3). Undernutrition is among the major causes of child mortality (45%) in
children less than 5 years. On the other hand, chronic malnutrition affects about
155 million children globally and stunts their development. Regarding the progress
of this goal, it is estimated that only twenty-two UN member states were on track
to meet the goal of eliminating malnourishment and undernourishment by the end
of 2017 (Le Blanc 2015). Of these countries, 20% have not made any substantial
progress and about 70% do not have sufficient data to ascertain their progress
(Le Blanc 2015). A 2013 report made by the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) suggested that there is need to re-orientate the focus of SDGs
from ending poverty by 2030 to the elimination of undernutrition and hunger by
2025 (IFPRI 2013). This recommendation is founded on experiences drawn from
Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil, and China. The main objectives for achieving this are
identified as: improving nutrition and social protection, expanding agriculture, and