b) Progress towards gender equality APRM assessments in this section examine the efforts of governments to combat gender inequalities in the socio-economic programmes sector. Reviews of country policies, are designed to determine the extent of progress towards gender equality commitments of governments in the socio-economic arena, the participation of women in all sectors and .proportion of women occupying decision-making positions. The women, peace and security agenda reinforces the centrality of gender equality and women’s empowerment approaches in governance and peace building. SDG 5 on gender equality draws from a long history of women’s struggles to address systemic and patriarchal institutions that subordinate the status of women and affect their civil and socio-economic rights. Arguably, SDG 5 is a cross cutting issue that is pivotal to the attainment of all other SGDs,321 also referred to as an enabler,322 catalyst and accelerator for achieving all other SDGs (as reflected in 45 targets and 54 SDG indicators), with a multiplier effect.323 Hence SDG 5 is undeniably essential to the attainment of SDG 16. SDG 16 focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. Inclusive societies requires that women and men are integrated on an equal basis in institutions of decision making in the legislature, executive and judiciary. One of this goal’s targets requires states to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. UN Security Council Resolution 2242 (2015) reiterates the need to engage men and boys as partners in promoting women’s participation in order to resolve and prevent armed conflict, peacebuilding and to address post-conflict situations.324 One of the SDG 16 targets is to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The UN Committee on the Status of 321 UN Women ‘SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Available at https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/women-and-the-sdgs/sdg-5-gender-equality 322 SDG Knowledge Hub ‘Achieve Gender Equality to Deliver the SDGs.’ Available at http://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/policy-briefs/achieve-gender-equality-to-deliver-the-sdgs/ 323 UN Women ‘Gender equality as an accelerator for achieving the sustainable development goals’ Discussion Paper UNDP New York 324 UN Security Council Resolutions like 2242, S/RES/2242 103