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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive

societies

THE 17 GOALS

Goal 16 is about promoting peaceful and inclusive daeR daeR

societies, providing access to justice for all and building eroM eroM
effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all
levels. People everywhere should be free of fear from all
forms of violence and feel safe as they go about their lives daeR daeR
whatever their ethnicity, faith or sexual orientation. eroM eroM

However, ongoing and new violent con@icts around the

world are derailing the global path to peace and daeR daeR
achievement of Goal 16. Alarmingly, the year 2022 eroM eroM
witnessed a more than 50 per cent increase in con@ict-
related civilian deaths – the Grst since the adoption of
Agenda 2030 – largely due to the war in Ukraine. daeR daeR
eroM eroM
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a
:
 destructive impact on a country’s development, while
sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are
prevalent where there is con@ict or no rule of law, and daeR
daeR
countries must take measures to protect those who are eroM
eroM
most at risk.

Governments, civil society and communities need to work

daeR daeR
together to Gnd lasting solutions to con@ict and insecurity.
eroM eroM
Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights
is key to this process, as is reducing the @ow of illicit
arms, combating corruption, and ensuring inclusive
participation at all times. daeR daeR
eroM eroM
Why should I care?
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a daeR daeR
destructive impact on a country’s development. Sexual eroM eroM
violence, crime, exploitation and torture are prevalent
where there is con@ict or no rule of law.
daeR daeR
Governments, civil society and communities need to work eroM eroM
together to Gnd lasting solutions to con@ict and insecurity.
Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights
is key to this process, as is reducing the @ow of illicit
arms, combating corruption, and ensuring inclusive
participation at all times.

How does this apply to where I live?

Goal 16 aligns with the broader human rights framework
by promoting societies that respect and uphold individual
rights, as well as the right to privacy, freedom of
expression, and access to information.

Peace is a fundamental precondition for social and

economic development. Without peace, societies are
often plagued by con@ict, violence, and instability, which
can hinder progress and result in the loss of lives and
resources.

Equal access to justice is essential for protecting the

rights of individuals, resolving disputes, and ensuring that
vulnerable populations are not marginalized or mistreated.
:
 Crimes threatening peaceful societies, including
homicides, tra^cking and other organized crimes, as well
as discriminatory laws or practices, affect all countries.

What if we don’t take action?

Armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact
on a country’s development, affecting economic growth
and often resulting in long-standing grievances among
communities.

Violence also affects children’s health, development and

well-being, and their ability to thrive. It causes trauma and
weakens social inclusion.

Lack of access to justice means that con@icts remain

unresolved and people cannot obtain protection and
redress. Institutions that do not function according to
legitimate laws are prone to arbitrariness and abuse of
power, and less capable of delivering public service to
everyone.

To exclude and to discriminate not only violates human

rights, but also causes resentment and animosity, and
could give rise to violence.

What can we do?

Exercise your rights to hold your elected o^cials to
account, to freedom of information and share your opinion
with your elected representatives. Promote inclusion and
respect towards people of different ethnic origins,
religions, gender, sexual orientations or different opinions.

Facts and Ggures

Ongoing and new

violent con@icts around
the world are derailing
the global path to
:
 peace and
achievement of Goal
16. Alarmingly, the year
2022 witnessed a more
than 50 per cent
increase in con@ict-
related civilian deaths,
largely due to the war
in Ukraine.

As of the end of 2022,

108.4 million people
were forcibly displaced
worldwide – an
increase of 19 million
compared with the end
of 2021 and two and a
half times the number
of a decade ago.

In 2021, the world

experienced the
highest number of
intentional homicides
in the past two
decades.

Structural injustices,
inequalities and
emerging human rights
challenges are putting
peaceful and inclusive
societies further out of
reach. To meet Goal 16
by 2030, action is
needed to restore trust
and to strengthen the
capacity of institutions
to secure justice for all
and facilitate peaceful
transitions to
sustainable
development.
:
 Source: The Sustainable
Development Goals
Report 2023

Goal 16 targets

Links

Fast Facts: Infographic:

Peace, Justice and Peace, Justice and
Strong Institution Strong Institutions

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