Gender Equality

Population ageing is a global phenomenon a shift towards an increasing share of older persons in the population. Even the least developed countries (LDCs) are beginning to experience the progressive ageing of their populations and this process is expected to accelerate during the second half of the current century (United Nations 2023). Despite its far-reaching consequences the emergence of this trend in LDCs has attracted only limited attention from both national policymakers and the international community. Most LDCs are still early in the decades-long process of population ageing which is a direct consequence of the demographic transition towards longer lives and smaller families. Population ageing begins with a slowdown in the growth of the younger population but eventually involves the rapid growth of the older population. Early in this process countries have an opportunity to benefit from the demographic dividend – a faster rate of economic growth on a per capita basis due to an increasing share of the working age population (and thus a falling dependency ratio) caused by a sustained decline in the fertility level. Although temporary this opportunity often lasts for several decades. It comes to an end once the older population begins to grow more rapidly leading to a rising old-age dependency ratio. Preparing for population ageing in LDCs will be critical for achieving sustainable development and ensuring that no one is left behind. Maximizing the benefits from the demographic dividend will provide an opportunity for these countries to develop economically before their populations become much older. It is also consistent with a pledge of “working together to support the acceleration of the demographic transition where relevant” as agreed in the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022–2031 (United Nations 2022).

Beginning with the premise that measurement is not a neutral or power-free process this discussion paper reviews seven key examples of how social norms are being measured in efforts to achieve gender equality. The examples include studies by the OECD UNDP World Bank and UN Women. The aim is to take stock of these approaches identify emerging lessons and assess gaps and limitations in order to produce improved social norms measures. The authors identify four cross-cutting shortcomings from the examples such as: inconsistencies in definitions and measures of social norms; unclear causal pathways; poorly evidenced or conceptually under-justified recommendations especially about legal reform and the positive role of private sector actors within interventions to shift social norms; and failure to consider collective agency and contentious politics. These all limit the effectiveness of norms-based work in improving gender equality outcomes. The paper concludes by outlining components of a future framework for measuring social norms and gender equality suggesting what should be measured why how and by whom. The authors put forward two clusters of priorities: improving the internal consistency of measures; and incorporating emerging best practices through long-term participatory norms measures that encompass gender equality outcomes and address institutional dimensions of social norm change. A focus on these should result in a more nuanced and effective approach to measuring and addressing social norms towards the achievement of gender equality.

In 1994 the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo ushered in a paradigm shift that would reshape how governments formulate and implement population policies. While recognizing the advantages of population stabilization for sustainable development the ICPD Programme of Action adopted by 179 United Nations Member States affirmed that national policies pertaining to population and development must have at their core a fundamental respect for human rights. The following year in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing 189 countries adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Within their broad scopes the Cairo Programme of Action and the Beijing Platform for Action emphasized the importance of family planning for fulfilling the basic right of individuals and couples to decide the number spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so and the right to achieve the highest attainable standard of sexual and reproductive health. The two documents highlighted that ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services including for family planning information and education is critical for protecting the rights and futures of girls and women. Within the broad picture of progress and stalls in sexual and reproductive health this policy brief will examine in more depth the changes in adolescent birth rates and family planning in the context of global fertility decline over the last 30 years. It will highlight inequalities in those changes and discuss the challenges of living up to the commitments made at Cairo and Beijing moving forward.