Brief description of the country's relationship with SDG 5

The United States has a major role in achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) because of its global political influence, economic power, and leadership within the United Nations system. The country has made significant progress in women’s education, political participation, and workforce inclusion, but major inequalities and social debates remain. Key challenges include the gender pay gap, underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, gender-based violence, unequal access to childcare, and strong political divisions regarding reproductive rights.

current challenges and recent developments

The issue became particularly significant after the 2022 Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which removed federal constitutional protection for abortion rights and allowed individual states to regulate the issue independently. This created major differences in women’s rights and healthcare access across the country.

The country also plays an important international role by funding UN programs and supporting global initiatives for women’s empowerment and girls’ education.

list of references

United States Department of State. (n.d.). In pursuit of gender equity and equality: The High-Level Political Forum and Sustainable Development Goal 5. https://2021-2025.state.gov/in-pursuit-of-gender-equity-and-equality-the-high-level-political-forum-and-sustainable-development-goal-5/

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). SDG indicators: United States of America country profile. United Nations. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/countryprofiles/usa

Sachs, J. D., Lafortune, G., Fuller, G., & Iablonovski, G. (2025). United States: Sustainable Development Report 2025. Sustainable Development Report. https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/united-states/

Sustainable Development Solutions Network. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Report: Rankings. https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings/

United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). United States of America. https://www.undp.org/united-states

United States Department of State. (n.d.). Bureau of International Organization Affairs. https://2021-2025.state.gov/key-topics-bureau-of-international-organization-affairs/

City of Los Angeles. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender equality. https://sdg.lacity.gov/sdg/sdg-5

UN Women. (n.d.). United States of America country data. UN Women Data Hub. https://data.unwomen.org/country/united-states-of-america

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (n.d.). United States. OECD. https://www.oecd.org/en/countries/united-states.html

useful links

• Country report/Voluntary National Reviews 

  • Official page U.S. department of state SDG 5: https://2021-2025.state.gov/in-pursuit-of-gender-equity-and-equality-the-high-level-political-forum-and-sustainable-development-goal-5/

• Bibliography and UN pages about this country:

  • SDG Country Profile: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/countryprofiles/usa 

  • SDG USA country  profile report: https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/united-states/ 

  • Ranking : https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings/

  • UNPT USA country profile: https://www.undp.org/united-states

  • Bureau of international organization affairs: https://2021-2025.state.gov/key-topics-bureau-of-international-organization-affairs/

  • SDG 5 for Los Angeles: https://sdg.lacity.gov/sdg/sdg-5

  • UN Women USA: https://data.unwomen.org/country/united-states-of-america 

  • UN OECD: https://www.oecd.org/en/countries/united-states.html