"The concept that women and men, girls and boys have equal conditions, treatment and opportunities for realizing their full potential, human rights and dignity, and for contributing to (and benefitting from) economic, social, cultural and political development. Gender equality is, therefore, the equal valuing by society of the similarities and the differences of men and women, and the roles they play. It is based on women and men being full partners in the home, community and society. Equality does not mean that women and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men and girls and boys are taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity of different groups and that all human beings are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes and prejudices about gender roles. Gender equality is a matter of human rights and is considered a precondition for, and indicator of, sustainable people-centred development".
Source: United Nations Children's Fund. 2017. "Gender Equality: Glossary of terms and concepts". UNICEF. <https://www.unicef.org/rosa/sites/unicef.org.rosa/files/2018-06/Glossary%20of%20Gender%20Terms%20and%20Concepts%20UNICEF%20ROSA%20Nov%202017.pdf>. Accessed 26 October 2020.
