Equality, Equity and Inclusion
In the SDC Guidance on Leave No One Behind, the SDC Management makes four commitments which include “aiming for transformative change by tackling exclusion, discrimination and inequality", emphasizing how “exclusion and discrimination are the result of deeply rooted power structures and mind-sets resulting in policies and behaviours that tend to entrench existing inequalities".
Inequality is not poverty, but inequality – or the absence of fundamental rights, freedoms, and opportunities – is a central characteristic of poverty. Addressing inequalities is not only a moral imperative, but from a social perspective, increasing inequality is seen as an impediment to economic growth and development, poverty eradication efforts and social stability.
Reducing inequality is considered a necessity to unleash the human and productive potential of people to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, especially now as the current pandemic of COVID-19 is exposing grave inequalities:
Everything we do during and after this crisis [COVID-19] must be with a strong focus on building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics, climate change, and the many other global challenges we face.
António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations
Further Information
To learn more about this topic, explore the links below and the summary of the 2017 learning trajectory on Global Inequalities.
