Working equids and the SDGs
Horses are a vital and relevant part of human society across the world.
We believe that the role of working animals should be integrated into UN SDG targets supporting education, climate change mitigation and adaptation, zero poverty, tackling inequalities, access to water and interlinkages between the SDGs.
Here are some of the ways in which working equids contribute towards achieving some of these:
No poverty
Through work in agriculture, construction, transportation, or tourism, working horses are relied upon for generating income.
Zero hunger
Working horses are often used to transport food to and from local markets widening the communities’ ability to access quality nutrition, as well as enabling people to herd their other livestock species over large areas and distances.
Access to water
By using working horses to assist people in carrying water- for drinking, washing and agricultural work- reduces the time required to access it.
Gender equality
Working horses are relied upon to carry out tasks that women would otherwise perform themselves. This empowers women, enabling them to be economically active and to increase their community status.
Download our joint ICWE booklet – Achieving Agenda 2030: How the Welfare of Working Animals Delivers for Development – to learn more.
ICWE Achieving Agenda 2030 brochure
