Imagine you’re a young girl, waking up early, and getting ready for school. You put on your uniform, pack your lunch, set your books, and head to the door. But suddenly, someone storms in, ordering you, “Stop there! Girls don’t have the right to go to school. Women shouldn’t be out on their own." You’d be pretty scared, upset, and confused, right?

That was the reality for Malala Yousafai in 2008. The Taliban had taken over her region in Pakistan, forcing girls to stay home and shutting down their schools. But, at the mere age of 11, Malala did not let that stop her. With her father’s support, she bravely advocated for girls’ ‘right to education’. Her story became a symbol of resilience for millions of people around the world.

It is stories like Malala’s that brought change and made the United Nations launch the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create a fairer, more sustainable world by 2030. Among them, SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) are crucial steps toward breaking cycles of poverty and inequality, empowering individuals, especially girls and women.

In India, organisations like the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) are stepping up to make these goals a reality. With innovative programs, ISDM is on a mission to support education and promote gender equality. This article dives into understanding SDG 4 and 5, their importance, and what makes ISDM’s approach special, the people it’s helping, and the unique challenges it’s tackling to create lasting change.

Let’s begin by understanding SDGs 4 and 5, the Pillars of Equality and Empowerment.

Education and Gender Equality: Driving Social Change

Education is crucial for everyone. It empowers the mind, promotes creativity, and builds the foundation for self-respect. It opens doors to multiple opportunities and paves the pathway to a thriving society.

Hence, SDG 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

This goal is based on the belief that education is a fundamental human right and promotes social and economic development.

However, SDG 4 alone can not bring about the change we need in this world. Therefore, in order to achieve SDG 4, we must achieve SDG 5.

SDG 5 targets achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Without providing equal opportunities to all, nations cannot develop and achieve the full potential of SDG 4.

The goal is not only to eliminate gender discrimination and violence but also to provide equal access to opportunities and resources, which are essential for a just society.

Importance of Gender Equality in Education

We just learned about Malala’s story – how she was denied the right to education and banned from going out on her own. Right?

But have you ever considered how such restrictions might impact the lives of girls and women beyond just those immediate obstacles?

Let’s think about it: both education and gender equality go hand-in-hand. They affect across various aspects of development such as health, economic growth, and social stability. When girls and women are given the opportunity to access quality education and recognition as equal members of society, it sets off a ripple effect that benefits not only them but their families, communities, and nations at large. Empowering women through education can help reduce poverty, improve maternal and child health, and foster more inclusive economic growth. This is why SDGs 4 and 5—quality education and gender equality—are crucial drivers for sustainable development.

Gender equality, in turn, reinforces education by breaking down barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing school. In this world, many societies, cultural backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses, limit girl’s education and development opportunities. Just like in the case of Malala and many other young girls. However, it is very much evident that when societies unite and embrace gender equality, more girls are encouraged to attend school and excel in their studies, further promoting a culture of inclusivity and fairness. Let’s have a look at this stat by a UNESCO report that 24% of countries have achieved gender parity.

While this global statistic suggests that educational gender parity has largely been achieved, a closer look reveals significant regional disparities. This shows how gender and location often work together to create unequal access to education, with girls struggling the most in sub-Saharan Africa and boys facing barriers in higher education in other regions (UNESCO, "From Access to Empowerment: Operational Tools to Advance Gender Equality," 2022, p. 17).

This means that organizations on all levels need to holistically work together to make a bigger and lasting impact. But how can regional organizations help in the bigger vision of gender equality and the right to education?

Regional organizations, tailor global initiatives to local contexts and address region-specific challenges.

Let’s understand this in the context of the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM).

ISDM’s Role in Promoting SDGs 4 and 5

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) is dedicated to creating sustainable social impact through education, with a strong emphasis on gender equality.

ISDM firmly believes that the goals of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) are deeply interconnected and essential for a just society.

ISDM aims to empower disadvantaged communities with the necessary tools, skills, and opportunities to tackle challenges and create a better future for all. The knowledge institute integrates gender parity into all its programs, acknowledging it as a base for societal progress.

How Is ISDM Bridging Educational and Gender Gaps in India?

Innovative strategies in education are the backbone of ISDM’s approach to gender equality in education. It blends community-centered initiatives with data-driven strategies, making solutions that address the root cause of gender and educational inequality. It promotes acknowledging and understanding local contexts and tailoring interventions to achieve particular community needs.

Other than this, empowering the Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs) is also a key aspect of ISDM’s work through its collaborations with SPOs. Beyond these partnerships, ISDM strengthens the social development sector by training individuals to lead and manage SPOs effectively.

Through its course in Post Graduate Development Management, ISDM equips future leaders with practical knowledge and tools to maximize their impact, building an ecosystem of creative, capable, and sustainable SPOs working toward SDGs 4 and 5.

Adding to its innovative approach, ISDM collaborates with the Knowledge Institute (KI), which has developed DataSights, a platform integrating critical datasets on SDGs 4 and 5. This platform includes “knowledge nuggets,” concise insights that increase awareness and inspire action.

It also publishes research on contemporary issues in education and gender equality, such as Bridging the Gender Gap: The Promise and Peril of Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Accelerate Gender Equality in Economic and Political Weekly.

Its insights into SDG 5 are featured in Deccan Herald with It’s Women’s Day. But on the ground, little has changed, and on SDG 4 in Financial Express with Data Analytics: The Key to Improving Education Outcomes.

In addition, KI collaborates with the Center for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) on projects like the Code for Change (C4C) hackathon, which mapped the financial vulnerability of women-headed households in India. These initiatives demonstrate KI’s commitment to using data and innovation to drive progress on SDGs 4 and 5.

Who Benefits from ISDM’s Programs?

ISDM’s programs aim to promote inclusivity of all kinds especially marginalized young girls and women who face systemic barriers to quality education. These programs are crafted to uplift individuals while fostering a culture of learning and inclusivity within communities. Through its scholarships, mentorship, and skill-building workshops, ISDM provides girls and women with the tools to excel academically and professionally. The benefits extend beyond individual success, as educated women contribute to healthier and more resilient communities.

Knowing that girls in low-income and rural areas face numerous challenges, including limited school access, cultural norms, early marriages, and inadequate school facilities, ISDM tackles these challenges with a holistic approach.

It advocates for policy changes that promote gender-sensitive educational environments and works with local communities to change perceptions about girls’ education.

Adarsh Rai
CLASS OF 2018-19
Udhyam Learning Foundation, M&E Specialist

Meet Adarsh Rai, an ISDM alumnus from PGP-DM, Class of 2019, who embodies ISDM’s mission of making inclusive, equitable, and quality education accessible to all, especially marginalised communities. As a Monitoring & Evaluation Senior Specialist at Udhyam Learning Foundation and Founder of Encompass and Hayden Hall Institutions in Darjeeling, Adarsh is breaking barriers to education in rural India. With literacy rates lagging at 73.5% in rural areas compared to 87.7% in urban regions, he and his team run an ‘After School Study Program’ for over 1,300 children daily.

They’ve also launched an initiative to establish 48 libraries across 110 villages in three districts, with three already operational, stocked with books crowdsourced nationwide. Adarsh’s work exemplifies how ISDM’s training empowers individuals to drive tangible change, ensuring education reaches even the remotest corner

Conclusion

While the journey toward achieving SDGs 4 and 5 is long and tough, regional organisations like ISDM’s dedication to equal access to education and gender parity continues to make progress. By breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for girls and women, ISDM is paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

Education and gender equality have the power to transform lives and communities. ISDM’s work, in collaboration with its partners, offers a path forward. Together, individuals and organisations can support this mission, ensuring that every child, regardless of gender or background, has access to quality education and opportunities to thrive.

Sources

1. SDG 17: THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development
2. Goal 4: Quality education - The Global Goals
3. Goal 5 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs
4. unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2024.pdf
5. Why do the Sustainable Development Goals matter? | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
6. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387889
7. Education as the Pathway towards Gender Equality | United Nations
8. (PDF) Education's Role in Empowering Women and Promoting Gender Inequality: A Critical Review
9. From access to empowerment: operational tools to advance gender equality in and through education - UNESCO Digital Library
10. Regional Organizations, Gender Equality and the Political Empowerment of Women | United Nations Development Programme

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
— Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities)

This quote from Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities highlights the duality of today’s world, where challenges and suffering coexist with growth and advancement. The novel is a great example of communal work reminding us that change is only possible when individuals unite for a common cause.

Similarly, in 2015, highlighting the importance and urgency of addressing global challenges to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A total of 17 goals were established and of these 17 goals, SDG 17 stands out as a critical enabler of success for the entire agenda.

SDG 17 emphasizes partnerships and collaborations with various governments, for-profits, not-for-profits, and other stakeholders to make a sustainable future a reality for all.

However, it’s not all roses. There are some critical challenges that hinder the 17 UN SDGs. Hence, in this blog, we will explore:

1. SDG 17 and its Importance
2. How to achieve SDG 17
3. The challenges of SDG 17
4. The importance of Partnership for SDG 17
5. Highlighting ISDM's Role in Advancing SDG 17

Now without further ado, let's begin our exploration!

SDG 17 and its Importance

Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17), titled “Partnerships for the Goals,” notices the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships as the beacon of hope for a world where inequality and poverty won’t exist. It aims to achieve its agenda by 2030.

SDG 17 serves as a medium for mobilization, knowledge sharing, technological advancement, and financial resources for all countries, especially developing countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states, knowing that no single entity — whether a government, company, or non-profit can alone tackle the world’s biggest challenges.

Such as, according to a report on 17 UN SDGs by the United Nations,

“The cumulative impact of multiple environmental crises is threatening the foundations of planetary ecosystems. In 2023, the world experienced the warmest year on record. For the first time, global temperatures were dangerously close to the 1.5°C lower limit of the Paris Agreement.”

The rising social, environmental, and economic inequalities are a matter of great concern. In such a case, The UN SDG partnerships will contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development by promoting and inventing environment-friendly technology and building capacity.

Not only this, the exceeding wars and invasions strengthened the gap between peace and equality leaving 120 million people forcibly displaced. This situation can not improve immediately and alone. This requires a steady, slow, and collaborative effort which can be fulfilled by the 2030 agenda of SDG 17.

Therefore, to holistically address and cover the overall interlinked issues, SDG 17 outlines five key areas for collaboration:

Finance

Bringing resources together to support long-term development.

Technology

Increasing access to technology and knowledge.

Capacity building

Strengthening the abilities of governments and organisations.

Trade

Making global trading systems more fair and equitable.

Systemic Issues

Promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration to implement the SDGs.

The essentiality of SDG 17 comes from its ability to facilitate collaborative actions, ensuring that the other 16 goals are fundamentally achieved through the cohesive efforts of partnership. Without strong SDG 17 partnerships, these goals can be delayed or even fail.

How to achieve SDG 17?

To achieve a sustainable tomorrow, we need bold actions today, and it’s possible through meaningful and long-term partnerships.

First, peace is essential as it maintains the overall growth of society. Hence, solving conflicts through dialogue and upholding the UN’s values becomes crucial, eventually building trust and communication on all levels. Such as Governments, private companies, NGOs, and local communities. These networks foster an environment conducive to collaboration.

Second, solidarity among the multi-stakeholders should be the priority. Developing countries need more financial assistance, technology, and human expertise, and for that, the global financial system must invest in the SDGs. Other than this, both private and public sectors should work together to mobilise funds.

Third, capacity building through training and education to acquire knowledge and skills for development initiatives is also very important.

Fourth, cross-sector partnerships ensure that multi-stakeholder partnerships involving actors from different sectors such as public, private, and civil society are extremely influential in knowledge-sharing and resource pooling.

Fifth, facilitating fair global trade cooperation can boost economic growth and development, especially for developing counties.

By integrating these approaches, organizations and governments can align their efforts to support sustainable outcomes. But ultimately, achieving SDG 17—and all the SDGs—will take ongoing effort, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to ending poverty, protecting the planet, and leaving no one behind.

Challenges of SDG 17

While SDG 17 is an optimistic agenda, only 17% of the SDG targets are on track. There are many challenges in SDG 17’s way that hinder its growth and fulfillment.

According to The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, the SDG 17 progress has been halted and even regressed on multiple fronts. This all could be due to COVID-19’s post-effects, international conflicts, climate shocks, and economic turmoil leading to increasing inequalities.

Not only this but challenges such as:

Lack of trust among multi-stakeholders is also a major issue. Many stakeholders, especially in developing countries, may not fully trust multinational corporations, governments, or international organizations.

Resource imbalance among partners can lead to power imbalances in decision-making processes. Developing countries with fewer resources are often left out of participation as wealthier countries and organisations may dominate discussions and decisions.

Fragmentation of resources among initiatives leads to imbalanced actions with potentially reduced or uneven impact. Without proper coordination and collaboration partnerships can not reach their full potential.

Political instability and bureaucratic barriers, such as conflicts, economic challenges, and lengthy processes, frequently prevent countries from fully participating in or benefiting from global partnerships.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for SDG 17 partnerships to flourish and drive real progress.

The importance of Partnership for SDG 17

The partnership for goals SDG 17 allows for a pool of resources, expertise, and technologies for all, eventually reducing duplication of efforts and saving resources.

Furthermore, effective multi-stakeholder partnerships enhance accountability and transparency and foster innovation by bringing together diverse ideas for solving complex challenges.

Not only this but multi-stakeholder partnerships for SDG 17 promote inclusivity by providing opportunities for participation to the marginalised representatives. This ensures that development strategies are holistic and address their needs ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of SDGs.

Highlighting ISDM's Role in Advancing SDG 17

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) plays a pivotal role in advancing SDG 17 through its partnerships with Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs), NGOs, and other stakeholders in the development sector.

ISDM’s aim is to help strengthen the capabilities of these organisations, so that they can manage and scale their initiatives.

By collaborating with NGOs, ISDM indirectly contributes to the realisation of SDG 17 fostering partnerships aims to fulfil sustainable development.

ISDM provides leadership development, training, and capacity-building progragrams, facilitating social organisations with the tools they require to operate more effectively and make a greater impact. Moreover, ISDM actively promotes knowledge sharing among SPOs and other stakeholders.

It provides a forum for exchanging ideas, experiences, and best practices, facilitating the type of collaborative learning required to achieve SDG 17 goals.

Conclusion

Achieving SDG 17 is tough but not impossible. It is vital for realisation of all the SDGs. Strong partnerships, with trust, inclusivity, and collaboration, are the mechanics driving the SDG 17. By overcoming the challenges that hinder multi-stakeholder cooperation and fostering meaningful collaborations,governments, businesses, and civil society can unlock the synergies needed to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Institutions like ISDM are the best examples of partnerships in action.By supporting capacity-building efforts and enabling knowledge exchange, they are helping to lay the foundation for the successful achievement of SDG 17 and, by extension, the entire global development agenda.

Sources

1. Multi-stakeholder partnerships | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org)
   The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2024.pdf
2. Multi-stakeholder Engagement for the Sustainable Development Goals: Introduction to the Special Issue | Journal of Business Ethics (springer.com)
   GOAL 17: Partnerships for the goals | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
3. Experts Examine Multi-stakeholder Partnerships’ Challenges, Potential – SDG Knowledge Hub (iisd.org)
4. SDG Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals - UNICEF DATA
   SDG 17 Partnership for Goals- India’s Approach and Initiatives - Indian Council of World Affairs (Government of India)
5. SDG Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals - UNICEF DATA
   SDG 17 Partnership for Goals- India’s Approach and Initiatives - Indian Council of World Affairs (Government of India)
6. India's stance on SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals