Reduce inequality within and among countries.
SDG10 aims to reduce inequality by targeting higher-than-average income growth for the bottom 40% of national populations, as well as eliminating discriminatory practices based on age, gender, sexuality, disability, rate, ethnicity, religion, or economic status.
Despite progress toward reducing inequalities between countries, such as providing duty-free access to markets for exports from developing countries, inequalities persist within countries:
- In only half of 92 countries with comparable data for 2011-2016 did the bottom 40% experience income growth higher than the national average.
- Women living in rural areas are three times more likely to die during childbirth than those in urban areas.
- Those living with disabilities are the world’s largest minority but are up to five times more likely than average to incur catastrophic health expenditures.
Inequality is a major obstacle to social and economic development. It hinders poverty reduction efforts, as well as severely damaging a person’s health and wellbeing. Simply put: sustainable development is not achievable when significant groups of people are prevented from accessing the benefits that development brings
How the cement and concrete industry is making a positive difference
The equitable provision of basic infrastructure and services is an important element in the reduction of inequality, supporting economic activities that can improve the incomes of the bottom 40%. As a durable, cost-effective and widely-available sustainable building material, concrete is vital to the construction of such infrastructure and therefore to promoting economic growth, including among the most vulnerable groups, such as the very poor, women and girls, and those living with disabilities.
At its most basic, this means constructing accessible buildings and transport infrastructure, or safe and sanitary toilets. But it also encompasses accessible healthcare and educational facilities, as well as energy, water and sanitation infrastructure, and affordable decent housing.
As important employers and economic contributors to the countries, regions, and communities in which they operate, cement and concrete companies also play an important role in achieving SDG10 goals in their everyday business practices, e.g. through fair and transparent hiring practices, the payment of decent wages, equal training and professional development opportunities for all employees, and the inclusion of minority or underrepresented groups in stakeholder consultation process.