answered: go to the targets and SDG tracker for Gender Equality [Goal

  

go to the targets and SDG tracker for Gender Equality [Goal 5]. Do you agree with the targets or do you think there are items missing? Do you agree with the ways we ‘track’ or measure human progress towards the goal? The tracker provides maps demonstrating various aspects of gender (in)equality around the world. Compare and contrast the US and South Africa. What stands out to you? Do you agree with what the data shows? Is anything contradictory (for example: in South Africa, there is a high proportion of women in leadership positions but also massive violence against women and girls). Feel free also to discuss current issues such as recent changes to reproductive rights in the US.
You will hand in an individual reflection this week. Choose some of what was discussed as a group in class and write a narrative piece about what you learned, experienced, or felt during the conversations.
The Link you need: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
Group member conversation: I totally agree with the tracker, especially Target 5.2: “End all violence against and exploitation of women and girls” because I strongly believe that its one of the biggest challenges faced by women living in South Africa. Gender Based Violence in SA is something experienced on a daily basis and it has become something that we see on the news on a daily basis. It goes as far as men killing their own partners that they’ve dated or been married to for years. In an article that I recently read they stated that, “Between 25% and 40% of South African women have experienced sexual and/or physical IPV in their lifetime. Just under 50% of women report having ever experienced emotional or economic abuse at the hands of their intimate partners in their lifetime.”
As a woman living in SA, I live in fear the minute I step out of the house because there’s a possibility that I might not even return home because abduction is a very common thing especially in the most vulnerable communities. Once abducted, you’re most likely to work for a syndicate and you’re then forced to sell/use drugs and also end up becoming a prostitude (someone that engages in sexual activities for payment). This isn’t something that you initiate or do voluntarily you’re forced to do it. Your life is basically controlled by someone else. There’s a possibility that you’d never even get to see your family and loved ones again or when you do, you come back dead.