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Advancing Gender Equality in Ecuador Under SDG 5

Gender Equality in EcuadorGender Equality in Ecuador is making significant progress as the country implements new laws and initiatives to address gender disparities. These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which aims to empower all women and girls. While persistent challenges like wage gaps and gender-based violence remain, recent legislative developments and support from international organizations reflect Ecuador’s commitment to long-term change.

Legal Reforms Supporting Gender Equality in Ecuador 

In 2023, Ecuador passed two major laws aimed at increasing women’s economic participation:

  • The Equal Pay Law: The Equal Pay Law requires organizations to develop equality plans and submit annual wage reports to monitor and address gender pay disparities.
  • The Care Economy Law: The Care Economy Law formally recognizes unpaid care work and provides social protections for caregivers.

These reforms address long-standing barriers to women’s participation in the labor market in Ecuador, where approximately 552,284 women were engaged in unpaid labor as of Oct. 2024. Women aged 15 and older spend nearly 19.2% of their day on care work and domestic tasks (four times more than men). These laws seek to dismantle structural barriers that prevent women from fully participating in the labor market. 

U.N. Women have supported gender-sensitive workplace practices in Ecuador through technical assistance and funding for programs that promote equality. Notably, U.N. Women have advocated for the implementation of the Violet Law which mandates that companies with 50 or more employees must develop an equality plan registered before the Ministry of labor. These efforts align with broader feminist frameworks like the ‘Purple Economy’ which advocates for a caring and gender-equal economic model.

Women’s Participation in Politics

Legislative change has also led to historic gains in political representation. For instance, in 2023, women held 43.1% of seats in Ecuador’s National Assembly. Meanwhile, the cabinet of President Daniel Noboa included 47% women, the highest in Ecuador’s history.

Gender parity reforms in the electoral code have largely driven these advances in gender equality as they require political parties to progressively increase the percentage of women heading candidate lists.

Persistent Gender Gaps in Employment and Pay 

Despite legal reforms, gender disparities remain prominent in Ecuador’s labor market. For instance, in 2023 female labor force participation was 53% for women compared to 76% for men. According to the UNDP, women-led households are more likely to live in poverty due to fewer job opportunities, lower wages and care responsibilities. For instance, 38.1% of the population lived in multidimensional poverty in 2022. In rural areas, that number stood at 70%. These figures highlight how continued efforts are needed to create inclusive economic opportunities for women.  

The Urgent Issue of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence is another significant challenge to achieving SDG 5 for Ecuador. According to Encuesta de Violencia Contra las Mujeres, 65% of women in Ecuador have experienced some form of violence in their life. The government has responded by reinforcing the 2018 Law to prevent and eradicate violence against women and amended the penal code to criminalize femicide and gender discrimination.

For women subject to gender-based violence, a lack of financial resources often makes it harder to escape abusive environments, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. A lack of access to support forces many women to remain in unsafe situations. Governments and organizations must target investment in economic and legal support to break this cycle. 

Collaborative Efforts to Advance SDG 5 in Ecuador

However, organizations like Fundación María Guare aid turning policy into practical support. Since its establishment in 1990, the organization has provided legal aid, counseling and shelter to more than 232 women escaping violence. These programs help vulnerable women access their rights and rebuild their lives. 

Ecuador’s pursuit of gender equality reflects a culmination of policy progress and persistent social challenges. New laws, rising female leadership and grassroots programs demonstrate that change is mobilizing. However, further action is required to close gender labor gaps and end violence. Collaboration between government, international partners and local organizations will be crucial for achieving SDG 5 and ensuring lasting, inclusive development.

– Rebecca Lee

Rebecca is based in Scotland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Higher Education in Honduras 

Higher Education in HondurasHonduras is a developing nation that has faced numerous challenges to developing higher education, including government corruption, a considerable lack of infrastructure and consistent political instability. Honduras is also one of the poorest countries in Latin America and ranks in the bottom third of human development scores internationally. A 2023 UNICEF report found that more than 60% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Honduran students experience significant challenges at the primary and secondary education levels that make it difficult to access higher education in Honduras, as many publicly funded schools do not have electricity, running water or qualified teachers.

Honduran students experience significant challenges at the primary and secondary education levels that make it difficult to access higher education, as many publicly funded schools do not have electricity, running water or qualified teachers.

Poor economic conditions in Honduras severely limit government spending on education. Dr. Dario Cruz, vice-rector of the Francisco Morazan University in Honduras stated, “what is left for investment, education and training or infrastructure of educational centers is scarce.” As of 2020, less than 7% of the eligible student population attended higher education institutions.

Current State of Higher Education in Honduras

Located in the capital of Tegucigalpa, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH) is the flagship public university of Honduras. Founded in 1847, UNAH is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the country, and its student body accounts for more than 40% of all enrolled university students in Honduras.

There are 13 higher education institutions in Honduras, all of which fall under the authority of UNAH. UNAH is both a large public university and the body responsible for overseeing higher education in Honduras. Private institutions must submit their curriculum and policies to UNAH’s administrative branch, the Dirección de Educación Superior (DES), for approval.

Higher education institutions in Honduras offer both academic and vocational degrees. The Instituto Nacional de Formación Profesional (INFOP) is a decentralized institution that connects prospective students with vocational training programs and has taught nearly 3,000 courses.

Honduras’ National Congress established INFOP in 1972 as the governing institution for vocational training policies and non-formal educational services.  INFOP offers a diverse range of vocational courses, including interpersonal relations, residential electrical installation and call center operation. INFOP has five regional training centers and offers more than 80 virtual courses. The institute’s principal goal is to “link the offer of technical and vocational training to the needs of the labor market and national sectoral policies.”

There is growing recognition of the need to align higher education programs with the Honduran economy, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. In 2024, North Carolina State University launched a partnership with UNITEC — a private technological university in Honduras — to boost economic development in the textile sector.

Hilando Oportunidades

The program called Hilando Oportunidades offers training and certification in textile manufacturing jobs for young adults in the northern region of Cortes. North Carolina State University expects more than 1,500 Honduran to take advantage of the program, which is free and open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 29. 

“This initiative serves to shine light on the importance of technical education for the sustainability and development of the textile industry in our region,” said Rosalpina Rodriguez, president and director of UNITEC, following the launch of the program.

Barriers To Higher Education

There are several factors that contribute to low levels of higher education enrollment, though the primary barrier to higher education in Honduras is extreme poverty. An estimated 3.2 million children had humanitarian needs as a result of extreme poverty in 2023.

More than a third of school age children in Honduras are not enrolled in primary or secondary school, and a formidable gang presence in the country has led to child homicide rates that are among the highest in the world. Gang violence routinely prevents Honduran students from accessing the classroom. A recent United Nations assessment reported that upwards of 200,000 children stopped going to school from 2014 to 2017 due to insecurity, as parents keep students home for their safety. According to estimates from the National Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DNIC), up to one in 10 Honduran students could be members of a gang.

One can associate low enrollment rates with students dropping out of school in exchange for employment to support their families. Despite the compulsory nature of primary and lower-secondary education, students in Honduras average 10 years of schooling. High absenteeism rates and a shortage of qualified teachers severely limit students’ opportunities to pursue higher education. 

According to a report from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), “The main challenges are low access to preschool and secondary education as well as weak learning outcomes across the education system, low number of trained teachers and insufficient learning materials.”

Another major challenge is physical access to institutions. Roughly half of Honduras’ population lives in rural areas, while most universities are located in urban centers such as Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba. Rural regions also experience significantly higher poverty rates. In fact, there are three areas in Honduras with no higher education institutions at all.

Hope for the Future

Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, Honduras began the process of reforming and modernizing its education system. In the decades that followed, the country enacted a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening higher education.

In 2010, the DES established the Honduran Higher Education Quality Accreditation System (SHACES) as the entity responsible for overseeing quality assessment and accreditation processes for higher education institutions and academic programs. 

Organizational Structure

A 2015 USAID project, the Advance program, originated to enhance technical training at the university level in Honduras. Five years later, the program resulted in new, modernized technical degree programs that better respond to the hiring needs of the private sector and give young people the skills to enter the Honduran economy.

Honduras also launched a specialized scholarship program in 2017 — the Presidential Scholarship Program Honduras 2020 — a financial aid initiative designed to support students’ professional development in key economic sectors such as tourism and manufacturing. The program also helps connect Honduran students with U.S. higher education institutions. 

Established in 2022, the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACIT) and the Honduran Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (IHCIETI) work to strengthen technological innovation and academic research at the higher education level. SENACIT partners with universities across the country to stage academic conventions,  promote technological research and develop relationships with the global academic community. 

Moving Forward

Despite declining poverty rates and an improving economy in recent years, Honduras remains a developing nation with limited resources for its higher education system. However, the Honduran government has recognized the critical role higher education plays in improving social and financial conditions, and significant progress has been made in both the public and private sectors to improve access, strengthen the curriculum and modernize the administration of higher education in Honduras.

– Willem Quigley

Willem is based in Tacoma, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Police Stations Combat Gender-Based Violence in India 

Women’s Police Stations Combat Gender-Based Violence in India In India, approximately 120 women live in extreme poverty for every 100 men and 30% of women experience domestic violence. Yet, many never report these incidents due to fear, stigma and a lack of trust in law enforcement. Deeply entrenched gender hierarchies have led to widespread gender-based violence (GBV), where women often endure skepticism and prejudice when they try to tell their stories. When seeking help from male-dominated police stations, Indian women frequently face additional challenges. Men account for 90% of the Indian police force, making it difficult for women to feel safe or understood when reporting violence. Despite government efforts to increase female representation in law enforcement, progress has been slow, leaving many women without a supportive system to rely on.

Women’s Police Stations

Women’s police stations, staffed exclusively by women, provide a safer and more supportive environment for victims of gender-based violence. These stations focus on helping victims rather than solely pursuing the arrest of perpetrators. Officers connect women with domestic violence helplines, provide counseling and help them escape abusive situations. The first women’s police station, the Vanitha Police Station, was established in Kerala, India, in 1973. The success of this model led to the rapid adoption of similar stations across India, with 745 now operating, primarily in urban centers. These stations offer women a space where they can seek help without fear or intimidation. Female officers handle cases of domestic violence and sexual abuse, but they also address other gender-specific issues, giving victims a sense of empowerment and agency.

India’s women-only police stations have inspired similar models worldwide. Brazil established its first women’s police station in São Paulo and countries across Latin America and Africa have since adopted the model to combat systemic discrimination and gender-based violence.

Increasing Reporting and Legislative Impact

Women’s police stations in India have led to a 29% increase in domestic violence reporting. When women see themselves reflected in law enforcement, they are more likely to come forward and seek help. Increased reporting provides governments with more accurate data, which can lead to stronger legislation to protect women. By addressing the root causes of gender inequality, these stations contribute to breaking the cycle of violence and poverty.

Women who are more likely to experience domestic violence are often the same individuals living in extreme poverty. Rural women face higher risks of gender-based violence compared to those in urban areas. Women’s police stations not only offer support but also provide valuable information about the challenges these women face, which can shape policy changes that uplift vulnerable communities. Although the Indian government has attempted to address gender disparities in poverty, women-only police stations add urgency to legislative efforts aimed at ending these inequalities.

Global Impact on Crime Reduction

The success of women’s police stations extends beyond India’s borders. In Brazil, female homicide rates among women aged 18 to 24 dropped by 50% and the overall rate decreased by 17% following the establishment of these stations. Female personnel deterred crimes against women by creating an environment where victims felt safer reporting violence. India’s decision to pioneer this model has had a far-reaching influence, ensuring greater safety for women across the globe.

Women’s police stations offer more than law enforcement. They create a space where women can reclaim their agency, find support and pursue justice without fear. These stations address gender-based violence while contributing to broader efforts to break cycles of poverty and inequality.

Looking Ahead

Women’s police stations in India have demonstrated remarkable success, but their continued impact depends on sustained funding and expanded outreach. Increasing the number of these stations, particularly in rural areas, could ensure that more women have access to safe and supportive environments. Scaling these ongoing efforts can potentially reduce GBV and also contribute to dismantling structural inequalities that perpetuate poverty and violence. By strengthening and expanding this initiative, India has the potential to empower millions of women to live safely and independently, free from the constraints of violence.

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, Texas, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Challenging Poverty in The Solomon Islands

Navigating Post-Conflict Challenges in the Solomon IslandsFor five years, from 1998 to 2003, violent civil conflict battered the Solomon Islands, leaving deep scars. Islanders still working to rebuild and rehabilitate their communities bear the burdens of social, political and economic instability. The challenges are stark: nearly 200,000 people live below the poverty line, a significant portion of the population relies on subsistence farming and 16.5% are undernourished. In response to these pressing issues, the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are actively addressing gender inequality, food insecurity, disease and poverty in the Solomon Islands.

Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Rights

The Solomon Islands is a deeply patriarchal and conservative society, but it is making significant progress toward female empowerment. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women on 18 Dec. 1979. It advances the roles of women and girls in all spheres of life, from agriculture to government. The Solomon Islands enacted its first Family Protection Act 35 years later, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed domestic violence and significantly stepped toward protecting women from physical and sexual assault. According to the U.N. Women, the government advances women’s equity by implementing fee-free education and enacting targeted measures to increase primary and secondary education enrollment rates, enabling girls to start and stay in school.

Economic Competitiveness through Agriculture

Solomon Islanders primarily work in agriculture, mining, forestry, fishing and tourism. Their main exports—fish and timber—have been depleted. This has led to widespread underemployment and left thousands unable to provide for their families. To enhance the Solomon Islands’ economic competitiveness, USAID partnered with the largest cocoa buyer in the Solomon Islands to promote farmers’ education, develop nurseries, renew family plantations and improve processing techniques. This collaboration has significantly impacted agribusiness by increasing farmers’ productivity and income. These interventions have also improved the governance of natural resources through partnerships with national, provincial and community partners.

Enhancing Health Care and Disease Prevention

The U.N. and USAID have played critical roles in advancing health care in the Solomon Islands. Each organization has significantly protected islanders from disease outbreaks and combated endemic strains of malaria, tuberculosis and dengue. Under its Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the U.N. is upgrading the Islands’ Public Health Laboratory and enhancing access to clean water through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. Similarly, USAID has been supporting the Solomon Islands in combating COVID-19. This is being achieved by enhanced data collection, promoting vaccination campaigns, training health workers and procuring emergency equipment. During the pandemic’s peak, USAID worked with civil society organizations to establish quarantine facilities. Additionally, they supported case tracking and assisted in repatriating Solomon Islanders stranded overseas.

Looking Ahead

The Solomon Islands are steadily overcoming the aftermath of years of civil conflict through targeted efforts by the U.N. and USAID. These organizations are focusing on advancing gender equality, improving food security and enhancing health care services. By promoting women’s rights, boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening public health systems, the foundations for reducing poverty in the Solomon Islands are being set. A brighter and more resilient future for the Solomon Islands are being established.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Understanding GBV in Uganda

GBV in UgandaAccording to the European Commission, gender-based violence (GBV) targets individuals based on their gender or disproportionately affects certain genders, often impacting women and children the most. In Uganda, GBV remains a significant issue, with statistics between 2018 and 2020 indicating an average of 5,000 new cases reported annually. This figure likely underrepresents the true extent of the problem. The violence affects not only Uganda’s national population but also the roughly 1.5 million refugees who have sought safety within the country.

GBV Uganda Projects

GBV Uganda Projects, an organization that provides funding in the form of loans, supports projects and small businesses that pay back their loans upon becoming profitable. These ongoing initiatives often focus on sustainability and include practical training for individuals to start their businesses. A key partner, SUP Community Initiatives Africa, began as a Community-Based Organization in 2013, targeting vulnerable individuals and communities in rural and slum areas. It registered as a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) in 2022, with a mission to empower individuals and communities to address their vulnerabilities effectively.

Empowerment Through Tailoring Projects

GBV Uganda Projects has established a tailoring training initiative that includes building a training center and offering year-long courses in fashion design for 20 women and girls who had to leave school due to abuse. As of June 2024, these participants are taking exams, with a new group set to start in July 2024 and continue until December. This project underscores the organization’s belief that tailoring could be a viable path out of poverty, which often intersects with gender-based violence.

Youth Sport Uganda offers a six-month tailoring program that includes internships, helping 71 participants so far to launch their businesses and support their families. Similarly, The Followings Foundation runs the BEC Tailoring program, equipping individuals with not only tailoring skills but also essential business skills like machine maintenance, record-keeping and financial management, further enhancing their ability to be self-sufficient.

The Importance of Funding

GBV Projects Uganda successfully launched its tailoring initiative, funded by a £14,000 grant from the Welsh Government’s Wales and Africa Grant Scheme/Hub Cymru Africa. This financial support from international donors has enabled 20 participants to acquire crucial life skills, providing opportunities that would have otherwise been inaccessible. Despite these successes, the World Bank notes that prevention programs for gender-based violence in Uganda remain fragmented and limited in scope. This fragmentation often leads to less effective programming, as funding sources like the Wales and Africa Grant Scheme vary by project.

Recommendations and Global Efforts

In 2020, significant strides were made as the United Nations (U.N.), Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Office of the Prime Minister collaborated to enhance systems addressing gender-based violence (GBV), focusing particularly on the vulnerabilities of refugee populations. This initiative was informed by findings from the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project. By 2023, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported the successful implementation of the “SASA! Together model” and “the Girl Shine approach” in Uganda. These programs are part of a broader international effort to mitigate GBV. Since 2019, the Spotlight Initiative has also been instrumental, training more than 900 individuals to assist GBV victims, marking a significant advancement in local and global efforts against gender-based violence.

Looking Ahead

Efforts to address gender-based violence in Uganda are making strides through targeted initiatives and international collaboration. Programs like those run by GBV Uganda Projects provide essential training and support, empowering individuals to achieve financial independence and stability. Support and funding could be essential in expanding these ongoing initiatives and enhancing their effectiveness. This can potentially ensure progress in combating gender-based violence in the region.

– Rachael Denton-Snape

Rachael is based in High Wycombe, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fragility and Rule of Law in El Salvador: Who Bears the Brunt?  

Fragility and Rule of Law in El SalvadorPolitical turbulence and social turmoil have significantly affected El Salvador’s rule of law and institutions. The country’s crime policy intersects with these challenges to reinforce social inequalities, undermining steps taken towards stability and democracy. Here is information about fragility and the rule of law in El Salvador.

Fragility and the Rule of Law in El Salvador

Periods of political instability, including military rule, civil war and ongoing struggles for good governance mark the history of fragility and rule of law in El Salvador. At the centre of these issues lie the country’s governance structures, which demonstrate the centralization of power in the executive branch, leading to minimal checks and balances on the government. Therefore, for El Salvador, nullifying the division of powers has been essential for solidifying authoritarianism.

Consequently, according to the World Bank, governance indicators include: “Voice and Accountability; Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism; Government Effectiveness; Regulatory Quality; Rule of Law; Control of Corruption,” and in El Salvador, these issues have deteriorated. Regarding these issues, even though President Nayib Bukele took office in 2019 with a growth and anti-corruption agenda, the government with authoritarian tendencies revealed El Salvador’s deteriorating democratic prospects.

Corruption in El Salvador’s government also raises concerns about transparency, accountability and violations of civil liberties. Human rights organizations have revealed cases of arbitrary detentions, torture and other forms of mistreatment, Crisis Group reports.

Poverty, Institutional Fragility and Rule of Law

The poverty rate in El Salvador is one of the highest in Latin America, with 1.8 million Salvadorans living in poverty. Widespread poverty undermines social cohesion and contributes to institutional fragility. The lack of economic opportunities and social services increases the susceptibility of vulnerable communities to exploitation by criminal organizations.

Crime and Punishment

El Salvador faces a range of crime issues, from money laundering to drug trafficking, earning it the title of “the homicide capital of the world” in 2015. The country’s crime policy has historically focused on aggressive law enforcement measures – mano dura or iron-fist policies, which focus on crackdowns on gangs and increased policing.

Although El Salvador’s crime rate plummeted in the following years as the government responded with mano dura policies, there are concerns about the sustainability of the country’s policy response to violence and crime. Marginalized communities, including populations that poverty and violence disproportionately affect, bear the burden of these policies, facing increasing levels of police violence, arbitrary detentions and lack of due process.

The criminalization of poverty has further marginalized vulnerable populations, perpetuating cycles of social exclusion. Marginalized communities, not having access to economic opportunities and social services, often have no choice but to be involved in illicit activities. On that note, mass incarceration negatively impacts families due to parental separation as well as the impacts it generates on the youth such as social stigma, loss of financial support, poor academic performance, increased risk of abuse and increased delinquency. The cycle of poverty and violence leads to deteriorating socioeconomic outcomes, trapping individuals further within it.

Inclusive Policies and Social Justice

The case of fragility and rule of law in El Salvador framed within a discussion of crime policy presents broader problems of authoritarian populism, politics of terror and hegemony as well as the fragility of transitioning to democracy.

Nevertheless, El Salvador’s crime policy succeeded in reducing the crime rate in the country in the short term. Now it is time to focus on long-term solutions to the challenges presented by crime, poverty and social inequality, and in doing so, key priorities should include community-centered approaches, human rights protections, economic empowerment and social justice.

A prime example of this approach is the Youth Employability and Opportunities project which Plan International initiated in El Salvador in 2017. Through this project, young Salvadorans have seen improvements in their socio-economic conditions, with enhanced skills and economic empowerment leading to employment and self-employment opportunities. By generating job opportunities and improving the social fabric, the initiative took successful steps to break the link between youth involvement in crime and socioeconomic disparities in El Salvador.

Human Rights

Following the success of initiatives such as the Youth Employment Solutions project, it is vital to consider the broader framework within which human rights and socio-economic development intersect in El Salvador. One important entity actively involved in addressing these issues is the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which is crucial in protecting human rights across the Americas. Recently, The IACHR has been making progress in regard to human rights practices in El Salvador. Specifically, the IACHR has focused on the state of emergency declared in the country in March 2022 to combat gang violence, conducting fact-finding missions while also releasing reports that revealed urgent issues such as the removal of constitutional rights and rising cases of arbitrary arrests. Additionally, the commission advocates for vulnerable groups and civil society, urging the government to protect judicial independence and transparent governance in order to protect civil liberties.

– Ilgın Özkul

Ilgın is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr