How Coaching can have a Global Impact: SDG 5
Written in collaboration with Elizabeth Nash, CoachforEquality
What can a coach do to support the Sustainable Development Goals? For many of us, coaching is an individual endeavor, of reaching out and connecting with a client. Coaches don’t impose an agenda, we let the client lead the way. So how can we contribute to progress on a global scale? How can coaching build human capital for more equal and sustainable societies?
Most of the 17 SDGs are a fit for different types of coaching. We are such a diverse global community of professionals with interests and abilities that touch topics ranging from climate change to decent work, that indeed coaches no matter who or where they are, can contribute to a better world. Let’s explore how coaching can support SDG 5, the goal for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
SDG 5 aims to ‘Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.’ To achieve this target a coach must be aware of the obstacles that impede women’s advancement in private and public life. For leadership, women are too often forced to fit the expectations of a discriminatory society that perpetuates stereotypes, holds them back from advancing, or leaves them out of leadership completely.
No country has achieved gender parity in politics or pay. And it will take over a century for the gender pay gap to ‘self-correct’. As coaches we can do something about this. Seek opportunities to work with women from marginalized or economically disadvantaged communities. Coach young women or clients from developing countries who would usually not consider or have access to coaching. Expand your coaching circle.
As a result of coaching, women can become more aware of their strengths and values, then grow to have the confidence to reach for fulfilling employment or other life endeavours. Women who value their unpaid work and understand the worth of their domestic and community contribution, are more likely to speak up and defend themselves and what they believe. Coaching can empower women to confront society’s attitudes, identify the challenges to their leadership, and act in accordance with their values and their rights. Coaching can help professional women better communicate at work, voice their opinions, speak up in meetings, share their ideas, and ask for what they want and need. Women of all ages who know their worth, are more likely to demand fair treatment and salary.
SDG 5 also defends the right to live free from violence and discrimination. Coaching can support women to be emotionally secure, self-confident, and economically independent, which fosters a resourceful environment where women are better able to survive gender-based violence. Also, if as coaches, we understand that the client is experiencing this, is in a situation of harassment, or other threat, we can share resources and offer support according to what the client wishes. Coaching can defend women and girls’ equal rights to live free from fear and without discrimination at home, in the workplace, and in the community. Coaching can make the world a more equal and just place.
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