GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES IN ADDRESSING SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

Learning Objective: Explain government programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities e. g. local, national, global

Equality – is about making sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to make the most of their desire to live
- It is also the belief that no one should have poorer life chances because of the way they were born, where they come from,
what they believe, or whether they have a disability

Social inequality – the state of unequal distribution of valued goods and opportunities
- the difference in the distribution of social desirables such as wealth, power, and prestige
- the unequal opportunities of individuals based on their social class or status – Karl Marx’s analysis of the rise of
industrialization
- results from a society organized by hierarchies of class, race, and gender that unequally distributes access to resources and
rights
- can manifest in a variety of ways
o income and wealth inequality
o unequal access to education and cultural resources
o differential treatment by the police and judicial system
- goes hand in hand with social stratification
- characterized by the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group
or society
- contains structured and recurrent patterns of unequal distribution of goods, wealth, opportunities, rewards, and
punishments
- arises when they are imbalances among individual or group of people
- refers to relational processes in society that have the effect of limiting or harming a group's social status, social class, and
social circle
- patterns of unequal access to social resources (Contreras, Dela Cruz, Erasga, & Fadrigon, 2016)
- it reflects innate differences between individuals like varying abilities and efforts
- according to Contreras, et al. (2016) social inequality is a social desirable attributed in a democratic and civilized society

Factors that contribute to social inequality:

1. Educational Attainment
o There is evidence of inequality in educational attainment from many instances. The reality is that the rich can get
better education in an easy way but the poor can hardly get their diploma. Educational inequality is the unequal
distribution of academic resources and there is still the need for policies that encourage educational attainment
for men and women based on merit, rather than gender.
o Social inequality in education is an enduring feature of the twentieth century. There have been changes in which
social groups are advantaged and disadvantaged, but groups that are disadvantaged in the larger society are
generally—though not always—disadvantaged with respect to educational achievement and attainment, if not
with respect to educational opportunities. Many societies have implemented changes that make access to
education formally more open to disadvantaged groups, but these changes and reforms have not succeeded in
creating equality of educational outcomes. P. Barnhouse Walters, in International Encyclopedia of the Social &
Behavioral Sciences, 2001

2. Wealth and poverty

o Social inequality brought about by unequal distribution of wealth
o The Covid 19 pandemic teaches us the advantages of the upper and the lower class. Evidently the struggles
experienced by the middle and lower class is not the same compared to the upper class. There is a huge difference
between allocation for the wealthy and the poor in many ways.

3. Power
o Power in the context of social inequality connotes economic, cultural, and social positions; thus, there is symbolic
capital associated with reputation and certain position in society

4. Gender Inequality
o Acknowledges that men and women are not equal and that gender affects an individual's living experience
o These differences arise from distinctions in biology, psychology, and cultural norms. Some of these distinctions are
empirically grounded while others appear to be socially constructed. Studies show the different lived experience of
genders across many domains including education, life expectancy, personality, interests, family life, careers, and
political affiliations
o Gender inequality is experienced differently across different cultures.

Issues of Inequality
Social Issues in the 21st Century
- A social issue in the contemporary times is an essential topic when talking about social inequality. Thus, government
programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities in the local, national, global levels is a continuous process.

Local Inequality
- Current state of the Indigenous Cultural Communities
 - Ethnic groups are involved in the local inequality. Sometimes, they are less fortunate and whose rights are violated by the
rich people. An ascribed status, a form of organization, a focus of identity and a subculture are the characteristics of an
ethnic group.
- Institutional completeness – the development of a strong sense of solidarity, an ethnic identity, and ethnic institutions by
an ethnic population; the organizational influence of a minority group and the degree to which it can provide its members
with all necessary services

National Inequality
- Economic and political current circumstances
- Economic policy is a national interest and it gives direction to the future. If the national government fail to do its job
effectively and in a candid way, the equilibrium of the rich and the poor arises much. Thus, if political policies fail to give
national interest for all with consideration of better futures, then discrimination also take place.

Global Inequality
- International inequality refers to the idea of inequality between countries. This can be compared to global inequality which
is inequality between people across countries. This may refer to economic differences between countries, as well as
medical care and differences in education
- Inequality does not exist only in societies and states, but also among states. There are states that are wealthier and more
powerful than other states, and the former end up being more influential in the global community. This leads to a situation
of global inequality, where poorer and less powerful states end up being controlled and influenced by the richer and more
powerful states.

Sources of Inequality
There is inequality in the access to social, political, and symbolic capital
Social capital – the ability of a collective to act together to pursue a common goal
- the connection of individuals within a society
- example: rich people have preferential treatment than that of poor people
- due to lack of resources and time, a disorganized group will be led to act and fare worse compared to those with resources
to mobilize

Political capital – refers to the trust, good will, and influence possessed by a political actor/politician to mobilize support toward a
preferred policy outcome
- it would function not only due to resources but also through familiarity to the political process
- revolves on political literacy, a function of social class and level of education
- it is not completely assured that just because one is well-off economically and well-educated, that one is also political
literate and knowledgeable of the political processes and policies
- example: the governor will be given preferential treatment over those with lower position or have no civic duty; political
actors coming from political families are given preferential treatment to enter politics than those who are not from political
families

Symbolic capital – refers to the resources that one possesses like function of honor, prestige or recognition, or any other trait that
one values within a culture
- it is an important possession that can influence the ability of someone to access opportunities in society
- it is influenced by class origin and other ascribed traits
- example: rich people have greater opportunities to enter politics because of their level in the society

There is inequality from social class, gender, and sexual orientation

- Women have always been constrained by societies that have structural bias due to some cultural beliefs in favor of men
- Men are seen as natural leaders and are accorded more social and political rights
- In some cultures, women could not own a property and could not even drive their own cars
- In the modern societies, there are still structured inequalities against women
- Most countries have accorded women equal political rights as to right to vote but equality in women representation in
many legislatures is yet to be realized
- Also, women are paid less despite doing more work in industries
- They also faced with the double burdens of being both primarily responsible for caring and upkeeping of children and
households
- Women’s work at home are considered noneconomic activities yet these activities earn income for domestic helpers
- Women also suffer harassment in the workplace and are victimized by sexual assaults and violence Even in the privacy of
their homes, many are subjected to domestic violence and abuse

There is inequality faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, intersex, asexual, and plus meant to cover anyone else
who is not included (LGBTQIA+)
- LGBTQIA+ are often subjected to discrimination and ridicule by the society that considers them an act of deviancy
- Member of this community struggle to win recognition for their civil rights, such as right for same-sex marriages which is
granted in some countries, remain denied in others.

There is inequality/discrimination faced by ethnic minorities

- They suffer cultural marginalization from the dominant cultural majorities
- Their cultural practices are subjects of ridicule, their physical appearances, and demeanor have become forms of
discrimination through stereotypes
 - They also end up as victims of development aggression, whereby their ancestral lands were forcibly taken away in exchange
for the government development projects such as construction of infrastructures or dumping grounds or sites for toxic
wastes

There is inequality faced by Persons with disabilities (PWDs)

- Their physical impairments become the bases for them to be denied to an equal opportunity in employment as well as the
benefits they must also enjoy just like abled people

Two ways by which Social Inequalities can be addressed

1. Through policy legislation
o Gender equality can be fostered by legislating laws that promote the rights of women and the LGBTQIA+. In the
Philippines, we have laws that protect the right of women and children but not for LGBTQIA+
o Likewise, the laws that protect the rights of ethnic minorities must be passed. For example, in the Philippines are
the Indigenous People’s Rights Act that seeks to protect the rights of the ethnic minorities in our cultural
communities
o The country has also passed the laws protecting the rights of the PWDs

2. Through promoting cultural transformation and endeavoring to transform the way society looks at women, LGBTQIA+,
ethnic minorities, and PWDs
o The most important key to this, is education
o The public must be educated both in formal and informal venues
o Stereotyping of women, LGBTQIA+, ethnic minorities, and PWDs in popular media. Advertising, and other forms of
pop culture is the most effective way to perpetuate discrimination, on which these venues will also serve as media
where discrimination can be addressed or minimized

Government programs addressing inequalities

Government programs undertaking social, political, and symbolic capital

R.A. 7610 Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act

Conditional Cash Transfer Program – Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) [RA No. 11310]
- a government program that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor in the Philippines
- households receive cash grants if children stay in school and get regular health check-ups, have their growth monitored,
and receive vaccines
- pregnant women must get prenatal care, with their births attended to by professional health
workers.
- parents or guardians are required to participate in monthly community-based Family Development Sessions to learn about
positive child discipline, disaster preparedness, and women’s rights.

Agrarian Reform in the Philippines – seeks to solve the centuries old problem of landlessness in rural areas
- the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) initiated in 1987 [RA No. 6657]
- the government addressed key national goals: the promotion of equity and social justice, food security and poverty
alleviation in the countryside
- after over 14 years of the CARP, however, the program is yet to be completed and is currently burdened with major issues –
from opposition by landlords and lack of support from legislators, to wide gaps in fund resources

SK Reform Act of 2015 [RA No. 10742] has provisions that prohibits political dynasty
- it prohibits any person to run in any Sanggunian Kabataan Office either elected or appointed if a person has a relative up to
the second degree in the barangay level to governorship (Section 10)

Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act [RA No. 10931] – is a law that institutionalizes free tuition and exemption from
other fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) in the Philippines
- also foresees subsidies for private higher education institutions
- intended to give underprivileged Filipino students a chance to earn a college degree
- allows financially-able students to avail of the free higher education provision but also contribute a specific amount to the
higher education institution (HEI)
- SUCs, LUCs, and TVET providers are required to create a proper system so students can make voluntary contributions for
their education

Minority groups – groups composed of less-dominant classifications in society that experience disproportionately lower
opportunities than their dominant counterparts

1. Gender Inequality
- In some countries women are paid relatively lower than men due to their sexuality and biological differences
- The LGBT community has always been treated indifferently and discriminatively because they do not fall within a
biologically defined gender group
Programs:
- The Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGD) [Executive Order No. 273] rests on a vision of
development that is equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, supportive of self-
determination and the actualization of human potentials, and participatory and empowering.
o It places people at the center and aims to make development work for all groups.
o It recognizes that discrimination exists based on gender, class, and ethnicity
o In the light of historical gender inequalities and inequities, it puts greater emphasis on women as a
disadvantaged group
o It is in here where gender and development is anchored into

- The Magna Carta of Women (MCW) [RA No. 9710] is a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to
eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of the rights of Filipino
women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society
o It conveys a framework of rights for women based directly on international law
o It salient features are:
▪ Increasing the number of women in third level positions in government to achieve a fifty-fifty (50-50)
gender balance within the next five years while the composition of women in all levels of
development planning and program implementation will be at least 40 percent;
▪ Leave benefits of two (2) months with full pay based on gross monthly compensation for women
employees who undergo surgery caused by gynecological disorders, provided that they have
rendered continuous aggregate employment service of at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12)
months;
▪ Non-discrimination in employment in the field of military, police and other similar services that
include accordingly the same promotional privileges and opportunities as their men counterpart,
including pay increases, additional benefits, and awards, based on competency and quality of
performance.
▪ Provision for equal access and elimination of discrimination in education, scholarships, and training.
Thus, expulsion, non-readmission, prohibiting enrollment, and other related discrimination of women
students and faculty due to pregnancy out of marriage shall be outlawed.
▪ Non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film to raise the
consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of women and the role and contribution
of women in family, community, and the society through the strategic use of mass media;
▪ Equal status given to men and women on the titling of the land and issuance of stewardship contracts
and patents

- Republic Act 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law signed into law in February 2019 by President Rodrigo
Duterte which extends paid maternity leave from 60 days to 105 days. This law covers female workers in the public and
private sectors, including those in the informal economy, and entitles them to 105 days of maternity leave paid at 100
percent of their average daily salary credit. It also provides for an additional 15 days of paid leave if the female worker
qualifies as a solo parent under the Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days
without pay.

- Republic Act 6725 or an Act Strengthening the Prohibition on Discrimination against Women with Respect to Terms
and Conditions of Employment This act amends s.135 of the Labor Code (LS 1974Phi.1A) to strengthen the prohibition
of discrimination against women with respect to terms and conditions of employment. It states that there is
discrimination if there are instances like unequal compensation for work of equal value, favoring male employee on
account of sex in terms of promotion, trainings, study, and scholarship grants. The aggrieved employee may file a claim
form money damages and affirmative relief.

- Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 This law provides protective
measures for victims, prescribing penalties, and for other purposes, recognizes the need to protect the family and its
members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security. Under this
law, the state also seeks to address the prevalence of violence against women and their children (VAWC). And
recognizes the need to protect for their personal safety and security.

- Republic Act 7882: Provision of Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business, Enterprises, and for
other purposes This law seeks to provide all possible assistance to Filipino women in their pursuit of owning, operating,
and managing small business enterprises. This law was approved on February 20, 1995.

- Republic Act 7877 or The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 This law states that work, education, or training-related
sexual harassment is “committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employee, teacher,
instructor, professor, coach, trainer, or any person who, having authority, influence, or moral ascendancy over another
in a work or training or education environment, demands, requests or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the
other, regardless of whether the demand, request, or requirement for submission is accepted or not by the object of
said act.”. It was signed into law on February 14, 1995 by President Fidel Ramos.

- Republic Act 8353 or The Anti-Rape Law of 1997 The law states that rape is committed by a man who shall have carnal
knowledge of a woman through force, threat, or intimidation, by means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of
authority. Depending on the severity of the case, the offense may be punishable reclusion Perpetua or life
imprisonment.
 - Republic Act No. 8505 or Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998 The law declares that State will provide
necessary assistance and protection for rape victims. The government shall coordinate its various agencies and non-
government organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and operation of a rape crisis center in every
province and city that shall assist and protect rape victims in the litigation of their cases and their recovery.

- Republic Act 6949: National Women's Day An act declaring the eighth day of March every year as a special working
holiday.

- House Bill No.4982 or An Act Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
Expression (SOGIE) and providing penalties therefore The SOGIE Equality Bill is meant to fulfill the rights set forth in
the 1987 constitution, particularly the equal protection clause. It recognizes the LGBTQIA+ as equals and ensures that
their rights are protected in as much as everyone. It also acknowledges the Philippines duties under International law
particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Thus, recognizes the non-discrimination of the LGBTQIA+ as both a national and international duty.

2. Ethnic Minorities
- Because some minorities live traditionalistic lives far away from the city and technology, and some may appear
differently than usual, they have been consistently labeled and treated as people with minimal knowledge and
capabilities.
- Lack of resources easily available for many are not utilized within their group, and thus receive negative attention from
the dominant public.

Programs:
- Republic Act 8371, known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), was enacted in 1997
o It has been praised for its support for the cultural integrity of indigenous peoples, the right to their lands and
the right to self-directed development of these lands
o Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), self-delineation shall be the guiding principle in
identifying and delineating ancestral domains
o As such, indigenous cultural communities (ICC) and indigenous people (IP) shall have a decisive role in all
activities pertinent thereto.
o This act declares the State to recognize and promote the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities and
Indigenous Peoples. It also provides for the rights to ancestral domains wherein these shall be the private
property of indigenous peoples, in return, they shall have the responsibility of maintaining the ecology and
restoring denuded areas. It sets forth human rights, including freedom from discrimination against indigenous
peoples and a right to special protection in times of armed conflict. Furthermore, Chapter VI of the said act
provides for the recognition of the cultural integrity of indigenous peoples, and for their intellectual property
rights with respect to cultural and religious property.

3. Other Minorities
- This may include people with disabilities or people with religions that are less prevalent in society
- These minorities experience discrimination in work, especially when the disabled have physical limitations, while the
religious have practices and beliefs that are greatly disagreed upon by the majority.

Programs:
- Republic Act No. 9442, an Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, Otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons, and For Other Purposes’ Granting Additional Privileges and Incentives and Prohibitions on Verbal, Non-verbal
Ridicule and Vilification Against Persons with Disability
o Its objective is to provide persons with disability, the opportunity to participate fully into the mainstream of
society by granting them at least twenty percent (20%) discount in all basic services.
o It is a declared policy of RA 7277 that persons with disability are part of Philippine society, and thus the State
shall give full support to the improvement of their total well-being and their integration into the mainstream
of society
o They have the same rights as other people to take their proper place in society
o They should be able to live freely and as independently as possible
o This must be the concern of everyone, the family, community and all government and nongovernment
organizations
o Rights of persons with disability must never be perceived as welfare services.
o Prohibitions on verbal, non-verbal ridicule and vilification against persons with disability shall always be
observed at all times.

- Department of Education has adopted the policy to provide special protection to children who are gravely threatened
or endangered by circumstances which affect their normal development and over which they have no control, and to
assist the concerned agencies in their rehabilitation [DO No. 40, s. 2012]
o Furthermore, the Department aims to ensure such special protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation
and care as is necessary for the child’s well-being, taking into account the primary rights and duties of parents,
legal guardians, or other individuals who are legally responsible and exercise custody over the child
o DepEd recognizes the participatory rights of the child in the formulation and implementation of policies, and
in all proceedings affecting them, whether they be victims or aggressors, either directly, or through a
representative.
 - Enactment of Anti-Bullying Law [RA No. 10627] which mandates directed all elementary and secondary schools to
adopt policies to address the existence of bullying in their respective institutions.

- Republic Act No. 10070 or An Act Establishing Institutional Mechanism to Ensure the Implementation of Programs and
Services for Persons with Disabilities in Every Province, City and Municipality, Amending Republic Act No. 7277,
otherwise Known as The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, As Amended, And for Other Purposes.
o Local Government Units (LGUs) shall promote the establishment of organizations of persons with disabilities
(PWDs). National agencies and LGUs

- Republic Act No. 10366 or An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to
Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens – The State shall ensure that
persons with disabilities and senior citizens are able to exercise their right to political participation without
discrimination or restrictions.

- RA 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWD) This act provide persons
with disability the opportunity to participate fully into the mainstream of society by granting them at least twenty
(20%) discount and exemption from the value added tax on the sale of certain goods and services identified under RA
9442 for the exclusive use, enjoyment or availment of persons with disability.

- RA 11228 or An Act Providing for The Mandatory Philhealth Coverage for All Persons with Disability (PWDs), Amending
for The Purpose Republic Act No. 7277, As Amended, Otherwise Known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with
Disability” – All persons with disability (PWDs) shall be automatically covered under the National Health Insurance
Program (NHIP) of the Philippines Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). “The PhilHealth shall develop exclusive packages
for PWDs that will address their specific health and development needs.”

- RA 1179 or An Act to Provide for The Promotion of Vocational Rehabilitation of The Blind and Other Handicapped
Persons and Their Return to Civil Employment- This act may be cited as Vocational Rehabilitation Act.
o This is to provide for the promotion of vocational training for the blind and other persons disabled by
natural/or accidental causes resulting in job handicap in the form of physical or mental impairment and their
subsequent return from helplessness to competence; from dependency to self-sufficiency; from hopelessness
to active participating and contributing members of society.
o To prepare disabled persons for suitable employment to place them on the right jobs suitable to their abilities
and talents.
o To train them to be able to take their rightful place in the economic and social activities of the country; and
o To train in Vocational rehabilitation services as a legal right.

- RA 3562 or An Act to Promote the Education of The Blind in The Philippines - Philippine National School for the Blind,
in the City of Manila shall furnish instruction to the blind in the elementary level.
o Teachers must be trained through a Teacher-Training Center and Philippine Normal College shall provide room and
other facilities.

Analyzing Social Inequalities

The existence of minority groups in functionalist and conflict societies are also embedded in each type of society’s principles.
- In a functionalist society, minorities also play social roles that contribute to social balance and equilibrium. However, these
roles are bound by limitations and social norms.
- In conflict societies, minority groups are seen as lower-class individuals that will not be able to keep up with the consistent
competition occurring within the environment.
- In both societies, discrimination against minorities is possible. Inequality among minority groups is greatly driven by global
inequalities significantly coming from the influence of richer, more influential countries.

GLOBAL INEQUALITY
- Inequality does not only exist in society and states but also among states.
- There are wealthier and more powerful than others and becomes more influential in the global community. This leads to
global inequality where poorer and less powerful states are being controlled and influenced by the rich and powerful states
(Contreras, et al., 2016).
- There are sources of global inequalities and it include the following:

1. Inequality can also be an outcome of the relative strength of a state in terms of strategic importance or development
assistance. States with rich resources such as the oil-producing countries have more leverage or influence. Likewise,
states that send Official Development Assistance (ODA) to other countries are well positioned to dictate their policy
conditions to those who receive their development funds in the form of loans and grants.

2. Military strength. States that have superior military prowess can bully countries with weaker military forces. One clear
example is the situation in the West Philippine Sea between China and the Philippines. China claim our territories and
taking advantage of our weaker naval defense.

3. It can also be manifested through the operations of transnational corporations and organizations. Many of these
nonstate institutions operate in a global scale and more powerful than individual states. Private corporations have
enormous power and can influence the economy of where they have investments. Some of the organizations/
 institutions with enormous influence in the policy directions of countries are World Bank, the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). They can dictate economic policies to countries who are indebted
to them to comply to their loan conditions.

Mechanisms that can address Global Inequalities

1.The formation of regional groups, such as the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
It can provide strength to the member countries. But, despite the presence of the ASEAN, individual members may be controlled to
help others due to the policy of noninterference, where members are hesitant to intervene into the foreign and domestic issues of
another country.
Example is the conflict and issue in the West Philippine Sea and the dispute between Philippines and China where there is no firm
ASEAN position.

2. Entering a bilateral treaties and pacts with other countries. One example is the mutual defense agreement between the
Philippines and the United States. It provides security for the country, but it sets the parameters when US can help us in times of
external aggression from another country.

3. Recourse to international treaties and agreements. Various states set agreements on issues as varied as climate change,
transnational crime, and international development. The Philippines is one of the signatories to these agreements which bind a
standard protocol. Any violations can be used as basis to appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Laws/Programs/Initiatives
Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative The W-GDP Initiative was created to enhance opportunities for
women so they can participate actively in the economy, contributing both to prosperity and national security. It was established in
February 2019, and the first whole-of-government effort by the US government to promote women’s economic empowerment in a
global basis.
- Since 2016, USAID has worked closely with the local government of Cagayan de Oro to improve the ease of doing business
for entrepreneurs and automate and enable online transactions for business. Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment
Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC) is a perfect example of a women-led organization pursuing the growth of businesses and
investments in the city. It understands the unique challenges of women-owned enterprises and considers what projects and
programs will most benefit women entrepreneurs.

Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. We
recognize that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an
indispensable requirement for sustainable development. All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will
implement this plan. We are resolved to free humanity from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We
are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and
resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind. The 17 Sustainable Development
Goals and 169 targets which we are announcing today demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda. They seek
to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what these did not achieve. They seek to realize the human rights of all
and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
They are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and
environmental.

The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet:

a) People. We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can
fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.

b) Planet. We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production,
sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the
present and future generations.

c) Prosperity. We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social
and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.

d) Peace. We are determined to foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no
sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.

e) Partnership. We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalized Global
Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of
the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people. The interlinkages and
integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is
realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world
will be transformed for the better.

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Goal 15. Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification,
and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Acknowledging that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the primary international, intergovernmental
forum for negotiating the global response to climate change.

Condensed notes from Modules produced by La Union Schools Division, NCR, and Worksheet by Schools Division of Marinduque