Gender equality and women’s empowerment

As changing economic and social conditions diminish the desire for large families, the fertility level in a population tends to fall. The reduction in fertility desires contributes to changing expectations around motherhood and women’s roles in society, and thus provides an opening for women to pursue higher levels of education and greater economic participation. At the same time, advances in gender equality and women’s empowerment contribute to the decline of fertility through the delay of marriage and childbearing and through an improved realization of fertility intentions. Having access to safe and effective methods of family planning empowers individuals, and women in particular, to decide both the number of children and the timing of their births. Given the close connection between realization of fertility intentions and more egalitarian gender and family systems, such access is critical to achieving more sustainable and inclusive economies and societies.

Sustainable Development Goals:

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