Structural and cultural factors, ranging from discrimination, violence, gender stereotyping, and low participation in higher education are major roadblocks towards making goals achievable.

Gender inequality across politics, education, health, and economic participation remains the largest social challenge facing the community today.

Globally, over 2.7 billion women continue to face labour market barriers.

In 2018, 104 economies out of 189 economies still have laws preventing women from entering the working market according to the UN Women (2020).

This gender gap is even much higher in some sub-Saharan African countries by a 20% difference compared to other regions according to the International Labour Organisation (2018).

According to the World Bank statistics for 2022, less than 50% of women globally (aged 15-64) are engaged in the labour market as compared to 78% of men, a figure that has barely changed over the last quarter of a century.

These gender differences undoubtedly affect both developing and developed economies.

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), I Believe Global Women’s Empowerment Foundation (IBGWE) which engages in the promotion of SDGs in Ghana and Africa has made a strong case for a considerable scope in promoting women’s participation in politics, women’s enrolment in higher education, inclusive economy, equity in health, vocational training, entrepreneurship programmes, and better law enforcement against gender violence.

The organization also said workforce strategies must ensure that women are better equipped with needed skills, changing legislation and sociocultural attitudes towards women and girls by implementing positive social, economic, and environmental transformative change through a series of initiatives towards the achievement of SDG5.

The IBGWE in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, the Center for sustainable development of the Koforidua Technical University, and international stakeholders are scaling up efforts with an annual international conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (SDG5) which aims to achieve a shared commitment to action.

The ‘’I Believe Conference Gh’’, is a cutting-edge conference that brings together professionals from relevant backgrounds streaming under one umbrella to join with world influential leaders to facilitate progress on gender equality (SDG5) and tackle important issues affecting the achievement of gender equality (SDG 5) in Ghana and across the Sub-Sahara Africa.

Ahead of the conference, the IBGWE in a statement indicated that the event will also focus on supporting the actualization of SDG 5 which emphasizes Gender Equality, in Ghana.

The IBGWE maintains that its vision is to contribute to the advancement of women across all sectors in Africa. It has offices in Sweden, Ghana, and Togo, and currently working with partners in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Volta Regions.