The centrality of gender equality for the achievement of the remaining SDGs does not imply this goal has only instrumental value. Though good for societies as a whole, substantive gender equality is most importantly a goal in its own right. At the centre of the goal of human development is broadly shared well-being, which requires the creation of conditions where all people have the right and ability to realize their full human potential and to benefit from rising living standards. A frequently overlooked attribute of investment in gender equality is that such spending can be self-financing when effects are evaluated over a medium- and long-run time horizon.