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 wellbeing 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 selffinancing when effects are evaluated over a medium and longrun time horizon