Current Issues and Challenges Affecting Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in Federated States of Micronesia

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), situated in the North Pacific region, is facing diverse challenges in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the major challenges that intersects with almost all of the goals is gender (in)equality. Members of the development community consisting of local, national, and international agencies and actors have been trying to promote gender equality through their own mandates and work, but with very little positive impact and progress on the ground. Hence, there is a need to understand on-the-ground social, economic, environmental, legal, and political issues that often intersect to create gender inequality, which ultimately hampers sustainable development. This chapter illuminates some of the main issues affecting gender equality and their implications for achieving the SDGs by 2030. In doing so, it identifies and synthesizes four major challenges, addresses the gaps, and provides recommendations that can also serve as opportunities for local, national, and international development agencies and actors towards overcoming the current challenges and filling the current gaps.