Education and Gender as Catalysts for Sustainable Development: An Ambedkarite, Field-Based Analysis of SDG Interlinkages in Rural Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in marginalized rural contexts requires strategies that are empirically grounded and socially inclusive. This mixed-methods study examines interlinkages across SDG-1 (No Poverty), SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-5 (Gender Equality), SDG-8 (Decent Work), and SDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities) using a household survey of 812 households across five adopted villages in Pendurthi Mandal, Andhra Pradesh. Anchored in Ambedkarite social philosophy, and using regression analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM), the study finds that women’s education and gender empowerment operate as foundational enablers — they exert strong direct and indirect effects on poverty reduction, food security, digital inclusion, and intergenerational educational attainment. Policy implications include prioritizing investments in female education, digital literacy for women, and gender-responsive livelihood programs to realize multiplier effects across SDGs.