New study ranks Oklahoma in bottom 10 for gender equality. See the study – The Oklahoman

Report on Gender Equality Across United States: An SDG Perspective

Introduction and Methodology

A recent study conducted by WalletHub assesses the status of gender equality across all 50 U.S. states, providing critical data for evaluating progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality. The study’s release coincided with Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the 19th Amendment. The analysis is based on 17 key indicators grouped into three primary categories, each aligning with specific SDG targets:

• Workplace Environment: This category, which includes metrics like income disparity and entrepreneurship rates, directly relates to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), specifically Target 8.5 concerning equal pay for work of equal value, and SDG 5, which calls for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
• Education & Health: This dimension reflects progress towards SDG 4 (Quality Education) by measuring educational attainment and future preparedness, and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). These are foundational for achieving gender equality.
• Political Empowerment: By measuring the share of women in elected positions, this category provides a direct assessment of SDG 5 (Target 5.5), which aims to ensure women’s full participation in political decision-making, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

State-Specific Analysis: Oklahoma’s Performance Against SDG Benchmarks

The state of Oklahoma ranks 45th out of 50, indicating significant challenges in achieving the targets set forth by the Sustainable Development Goals. With an overall score of 46.97 out of 100, the state’s performance highlights disparities that undermine progress on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Detailed Ranking for Oklahoma

• Workplace Environment (Rank 29): While this is Oklahoma’s strongest category, a mid-tier ranking suggests that considerable work remains to achieve the economic empowerment goals outlined in SDG 5 and SDG 8.
• Education & Health (Rank 43): This low ranking points to substantial gaps in providing equitable educational opportunities and health outcomes, hindering progress on SDG 4 and SDG 3 for women.
• Political Empowerment (Rank 41): The state’s performance in this area demonstrates a significant lack of female representation in public life, falling short of the inclusive institutional goals of SDG 5 and SDG 16.

As noted by WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, achieving gender equality requires comprehensive action to reduce disparities across multiple fronts, a principle that lies at the core of the interconnected SDG framework.

National Gender Equality Rankings

Top 10 States Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5)

The following states demonstrate the strongest performance in creating an equitable environment for women. Hawaii, the top-ranked state, shows exemplary progress with minimal gender pay gaps and equal gender representation in its federal congressional delegation, aligning closely with the targets of SDG 5 and SDG 8.

1. Hawaii
2. Nevada
3. Maryland
4. Maine
5. Oregon
6. New Mexico
7. California
8. Iowa
9. Alaska
10. Vermont

Bottom 10 States in Gender Equality Rankings

The states listed below exhibit the most significant challenges in achieving gender equality, indicating an urgent need for policy interventions to align with national and global commitments to the SDGs.

1. Utah (#50)
2. Texas (#49)
3. Idaho (#48)
4. Arkansas (#47)
5. Louisiana (#46)
6. Oklahoma (#45)
7. Wyoming (#44)
8. New Jersey (#43)
9. Virginia (#42)
10. Ohio (#41)

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on gender equality rankings in the United States, specifically focusing on Oklahoma, addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs connected to the issues discussed are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – This is the central theme of the article, which discusses a study ranking states on gender equality and equity based on various factors.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article explicitly mentions workplace environment factors such as income disparity, the gender pay gap, and entrepreneurship rates, which are key components of this goal.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The study cited in the article includes “educational attainment” as one of its key metrics for measuring gender equality, directly linking to the goal of inclusive and equitable education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.”
     
     Explanation: The article directly references this target by mentioning that the study considered the “share of representation in elected positions” and highlights Hawaii’s success where the “U.S. Senate and House of Representatives include equal gender representation.” This points to the importance of women’s political empowerment and leadership.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.”
     
     Explanation: The article’s focus on the “workplace environment” category, which includes factors like “income disparity,” directly relates to this target. The mention of Hawaii having “no gender pay gap in minimum-wage workers” is a clear example of progress towards equal pay for work of equal value.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.5: “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training…”
     
     Explanation: The study’s use of “educational attainment” as a metric for ranking states on gender equality connects directly to this target. The article notes that in Hawaii, “students are equally prepared for the future,” implying parity in educational outcomes, which is a core component of eliminating gender disparities in education.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that align with the official SDG indicators used to measure progress:

1. Indicators for SDG 5 (Target 5.5)

   • Indicator 5.5.1: “Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments.”
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly refers to the “share of representation in elected positions” and “equal gender representation” in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. These are direct measures of women’s participation in political life, aligning perfectly with this indicator.

2. Indicators for SDG 8 (Target 8.5)

   • Indicator 8.5.1: “Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities.”
     
     Explanation: The article’s mention of “income disparity” and the “gender pay gap in minimum-wage workers” directly implies the measurement of wage differences between genders, which is the essence of this indicator.

3. Indicators for SDG 4 (Target 4.5)

   • Indicator 4.5.1: “Parity indices (female/male…) for all education indicators…”
     
     Explanation: The factor of “educational attainment” used in the study implies a comparison of educational levels between men and women. This comparison is what a parity index measures, making it a relevant indicator for tracking progress toward eliminating gender disparities in education.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: oklahoman.com