Inequality Reduction: Determinant of the Success of the SDGs

University of Cambridge Sociologist, Goran Therborn in "The Killing Fields of Inequality", defined inequality as a denial of human dignity, a denial of everybody's human potential to develop. 

Inequality is unnatural. According to Oxfam, the richest 1% now have more wealth than the rest of the world's population combined. Global inequality is worse than at any time since the 19th century. The issue of inequality within nations is also very alarming. From huge income disparities to differences in the quality of education.

Even though all the Goals can be said to have equality dimensions, only Goal 4, Goal 5 and Goal 10 explicitly mention this important aspect of sustainable development.
Goal 10 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals  was set to deal with issues of inequality within and among countries. The goal has 10 targets with each of them stating comprehensively what is expected to be achieved by 2030. Reducing inequality at all levels is the basic determinant to the attainment of the other 16 goals. For instance, the first target of Goal 10 seeks to "progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average by 2030". This alone will contribute to Goal 1 , which is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere and also Goal 8, which is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. Hence, empowering the bottom 40 per cent of the world's population through the introduction and adoption of policies will affect the realization of other several goals. 

Most developing countries are lamenting about how they are treated in the international market during decision-making especially with regards to their own products. Just recently, at the G20 Partnership for Africa Summit, Finance Minister of Ghana, Ken Ofori Atta explained how African countries have remained price takers in the international market and the ripple effect of that on the economy of the countries and its people. So if most developing countries are not given fair chance to negotiate in most matters, then how are they going to organize resources to support the SDGs implementation? "Africa does not need your sympathy or Overseas Development Assistance. Africa needs a fair chance to trade with the rest of the world and amongst ourselves,’‘ The President of Ghana, John Mahama said when he took his turn to address the UNGA in September 2016.
Target 5 & 6 of Goal 10 seeks to raise the voices of developing countries  in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions.  When this is achieved by 2030, it would come with enough financial returns to the African countries to support resilient infrastructure and Innovation (Goal 9). Such innovation and infrastructure development will be the foundation to; sustainable Agricultural to produce enough nutritious food (Goal 2), healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages (Goal 3), ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (Goal 6), Clean and affordable energy (Goal 7), make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (Goal 11), combat climate change and its impacts (Goal 13) . 
A peaceful and just world free from violent conflicts and terrorism (Goal 16) means there are win/win deals at all levels among countries. Most violent conflicts we see today are as a result of denial of someone or a group of people's human dignity. 
One thing about inequality is that, those who feel disadvantaged mostly resort to violence to address their grievances. 
Lastly, without the solid principle of equality and equity, forming partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17) might worsen the challenges the world currently face. 

Author Clifford