Story of SDG 5: Gender Equality
“This is something we deal with every day…”
This was heard in the artists’ studio Die Schlumper when it became clear that they had chosen to depict the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: “Gender Equality.” The mural banner was installed on June 27, 2019, at Neuer Kamp 32 in Hamburg.
The artist behind the work was Bernhard Krebs. From existing and newly created drafts, a piece by him was selected through a longer process. It shows two people. They are different, yet equal in size, expression, posture, and strength. Both are made up, both embraced. With a clear gaze. Looking forward. Equal! Equal in rights?
Chances are, almost everyone in Hamburg encounters this question every day. To reflect this, the poster was supplemented with the term “Gleichberechtigung” or “gender equality” in the languages most commonly spoken by people in Hamburg.
We would like to thank the artist Bernhard Krebs, his studio Die Schlumper, the director Anna Pongs-Laute, and the graphic designer Ulrike Sommer. They made this artwork possible.
“Gender Equality – it’s something we deal with every day!”
The extent to which this statement from the artists’ studio applies became increasingly clear the more we engaged with the context of SDG 5. It is about equality between women and men and about gender justice. In brief, the Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility of the United Nations University summarized it as follows:
“Gender is a category of identity that can dignify every single person. Achieving gender equality by 2030 requires us all, regardless of sex and/or gender, to rethink ways we imagine and enact gender every day.”
This includes all of us. Every single day.
Gender equality also means protection from poverty and violence, equal access to education, healthcare, resources, and work, as well as participation and self-determination.
The UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 is therefore an integral part of all other goals.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Suna, Mina, Tavi, Tihomir, Hannah, Ali, Coral, Jan, Werner, and Natalja for supporting the dialogue on this topic and for assistance in various languages.