Gender-based inequalities in education, health and political representation around the world are still persistent. One of the questions that have been raised in the post-2015 debate is not only whether or not a goal on gender is realistic, but how effectively we can continue to mainstream gender issues into broader policies.

The renewal fo the United Nation's development goals for another 15 years provides a good timeframe in which to "bend the curve" toward an equitable world for women, according to Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women.