Capabilities Approach and Gender Equality: A Study of Social Indicators for Women in Brazil

The study by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Gender Statistics - Social Indicators of Women in Brazil (2024), examines women's living conditions using the Minimum Set of Gender Indicators (MSGI) from the United Nations. The MSGI includes 63 indicators (52 quantitative, 11 qualitative) used globally to measure gender equality and women’s empowerment across five domains: economic structures, education, health, public life, and human rights.

This work applies Martha Nussbaum's list of core human capabilities to assess whether Brazil's social indicators meet standards of justice and dignity for women and girls. Nussbaum’s framework emphasizes that capabilities are not mere tools for dignity but essential conditions for a dignified life, with each capability representing a non-negotiable right. A shortfall in one area, according to Nussbaum, constitutes a failure of basic justice, regardless of progress in other areas.

Aligned with the 5th Sustainable Development Goal (gender equality and empowerment of women and girls), the study evaluates Brazil's progress or setbacks toward achieving these goals. A theoretical complement is proposed using Nancy Fraser’s three-dimensional theory of justice, which emphasizes participatory parity as a key aspect of justice. This combination of frameworks offers a comprehensive analysis of Brazil's gender equality efforts, aiming to provide insights for policy improvement.