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equality, emphasizing women’s practical enjoymentof their rights. Human rights principles also underlinethe duty of governments to raise sufficient resources,allocate them in ways that meet the obligationsof non-discrimination and equality, and ensuretransparency and democratic participation in thedeliberation of budget processes.The framework for advancing substantive equalityfor women set out in this report draws on existinghuman rights standards and is intended to helpgovernments and other policy makers shapeconcrete measures needed to address the specificchallenges of gender inequality. Action is requiredalong three dimensions: redressing women’s socioeconomicdisadvantage; addressing stereotyping,stigma and violence; and strengthening women’sagency, voice and participation. Together, progresson these three dimensions can transform existingstructures and institutions and, in turn, the lives ofwomen and girls around the world.Progress towards substantive equality shouldbe measured against how inclusive it is of therights of all women and girls, especially thosefrom marginalized groups. When the mostdisadvantaged are able to share both paid andunpaid work with men and boys in their familiesand communities and enjoy an adequate standardof living; when they can live a life that is free fromstereotyping, stigma and violence; and when theyare able to participate meaningfully in the decisionsthat affect their lives, then it is possible to speak oflasting transformation towards substantive equality.TRANSFORMING ECONOMIES, REALIZINGRIGHTS: 10 PRIORITIES FOR PUBLIC ACTIONTen priorities for public action are set out below.They span the imperatives to create decent work, toimplement gender-responsive social policies, andto adopt a rights-based macroeconomic policyframework. They highlight the need for resourcemobilization, an enabling global environment,support for women’s organizing and an expandedevidence base on women’s economic and socialrights, in order to achieve substantive equality.These are priorities primarily for governments, asthe arbiters of economic and social rights, but theyare also relevant for international organizations,the private sector, employers, donors, civil societyorganizations, such as trade unions, and women’sorganizations.Not every recommendation is appropriate for allcountries, and the capacity of States to advancesubstantive equality for women differs accordingto their size and level of development. The ‘startingpoints’ are also very different, with some regionshaving advanced significantly towards genderequality in a number of areas while others arelagging behind. Human rights treaties make it clearthat there are core obligations that States mustrealize immediately, including non-discriminationand equality in the enjoyment of rights, as wellas meeting minimum essential levels of rights,particularly in relation to food, education, healthand housing. States must also ensure that rightsare realized progressively over time and guardagainst their erosion. But, within this framework,there is scope for countries to identify their ownpaths and policy choices for achieving substantiveequality for women.Low-income, primarily agrarian economieswith serious deficits in basic social servicesmight choose to focus on expanding access tosafe drinking water, sanitation and accessiblepublic health services, particularly in ruralareas. Where women are predominantlyself-employed, governments might prioritizeinvestments in infrastructure, institutional creditand marketing facilities, as well as the extensionof social protection, to support the viability oftheir enterprises and the sustainability of theirlivelihoods. Middle- and high-income countries, onthe other hand, might place greater emphasis onwork-family conciliation policies, including parentalleave and child and elderly care services, and usereal minimum wage increases to reduce incomeinequality and gender wage gaps at the bottomof the income hierarchy. In the current context ofausterity it is critical for all States, regardless oftheir income level, to safeguard social protectionand the services that are essential to women’senjoyment of their rights.235