The Gender Snapshot 2026 finds that none of the indicators under Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality are on track to meet the 2030 targets.
The targets include ending discrimination and gender-based violence, eliminating harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, increasing women’s participation in leadership and strengthening economic and property rights.
The report highlights continued gender disparities in political leadership, with six in seven countries currently led by men.
The cost of running for political office can exceed 100 times a country’s average per capita income, while up to eight in 10 women candidates in some countries face violence in public life.
Women also remain underrepresented in positions with significant economic and security responsibilities. Almost nine in 10 defence ministers and more than eight in 10 finance ministers are men.
Globally, women account for only 6% of chief executive officers and lead fewer than 20% of the highest courts.
The report also highlights continuing violence and discrimination against women and girls. Nearly one in five girls is married before the age of 18, while an estimated 230 million women and girls have experienced female genital mutilation.
Nearly one in three women globally has experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime, while 316 million women experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the 12 months covered by the report.
The report found that no country has achieved full legal equality for women. Among 131 countries studied, 51% still have significant legal gaps.
Funding for gender equality programmes has also declined, with such funding reaching its lowest level since 2021.
One in four institutional mechanisms for gender equality had their operating budgets reduced over the past two years, while one in three experienced a reduction in institutional power.
Meanwhile, 42% of UN entities reported weakened gender equality efforts amid funding reductions.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua said the findings demonstrated that progress towards gender equality was shaped by policy choices and investment in institutions and data systems.
The report calls for renewed investment in gender equality and institutions supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
