United Nations Member States unanimously agreed in 1992 in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that ‘women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.' This publication highlights commitments made on gender equality and explores women’s contributions to sustainable development and policy around the world. Focusing on priority areas (safe drinking water and sanitation, food security and sustainable agriculture, sustainable cities, decent work and the green economy, health and education), it details the actions needed to establish a gender-responsive development framework and ensure an enabling environment for women’s full participation in sustainable development.