London , England ( CNN ) -- With only days to go before the U.N. High Level Panel puts forward its recommendations on development goals beyond 2015 , after the current Millennium Development Goals expire , progress towards gender equality and increased empowerment of women hangs in the balance . It is vital that this issue does not slip down the global agenda but retains its rightful position as one of the key , stand-alone development goals . The current goals contain a specific commitment to women 's equality and empowerment , which has -- while not perfect -- succeeded in putting the subject firmly on the global map , giving impetus and strength to organizations working in this field , in their relations with governments , their ability to push against cultural barriers , and their capacity to raise funds for their work . That 's why we 've seen some progress in recent years . More girls are going to school , and the gender gap in formal education is closing in the majority of countries . In some areas such as North Africa and the Middle East , more women than men are enrolled in tertiary education , but women have yet to catch up in political representation , technology , access to capital and management skills , to name but a few examples . In the discussions that are taking place about what will replace the Millennium Development Goals post-2015 , there are voices arguing for abandonment of this stand-alone commitment to women 's equality , in favor of a more generalized commitment to tackle 'inequality . ' Were these voices to carry the day , the negative effect on progress towards gender equality would be substantial , but crucially it would also undermine the cause of reducing 'inequality . ' This is because improving the status of women is crucial to tackling the very inequalities that it is suggested the new goals should focus on . Whether it 's making sure that children have access to education or health care , or bringing in more income for the family , so many of these core development goals are primarily delivered by women . Women are on the road to becoming drivers of their economies , running businesses , and creating jobs and opportunities within their communities and beyond . According to the World Bank , we need to create 600 million jobs globally by 2020 , mainly in developing countries , just to keep up with population growth . But we will inevitably fail to achieve employment targets unless many more women have economic opportunities . The more power they have , the more they can deliver . I have seen for myself how women 's financial independence delivers benefits to their families and to wider society . On a recent trip to Israel and Palestine , I spoke with some women entrepreneurs and asked them what they spent their money on and they said their families . On educating their children and taking care of their health . On investing back into their businesses and hiring additional employees . Not one had spent the income on themselves.Families , communities and economies suffer when women are treated as unequal to men . Furthermore , without female role models for future generations of women , progress will not just stall -- it will reverse . Leveling the playing field -- where women and men have equal chances to become economically , socially and politically active , make decisions , and shape policies -- is likely to lead over time to more representative , and more inclusive , institutions and policy choices and thus to a better development path . In order for us to achieve real progress in development , gender equality must be a standalone goal . I am not alone in this view . There are many others who have been calling for the same for months . The OECD has called for women and girls to be front and center in the post-2015 framework . The Gender and Development Network has convened 85 of the UK 's leading development NGOs and gender experts to ensure women 's empowerment is promoted in the next framework . Their most recent report argues that the next framework must tackle the underlying causes of gender inequality to achieve sustainable change . U.N. Women have called for a goal that includes issues specifically about women , such as eliminating violence against women and girls , expanding women 's choices and opportunities , ensuring their full participation in decision-making at all levels , and including targets and indicators that specifically relate to women . As the High-Level Panel on Post-2015 Development issue their recommendations , we must keep up the pressure . Women are at the heart of every family . They are the mothers , the carers , the managers , the peacemakers . But they can deliver so much more . As we look ahead to a new framework , we can not afford to let gender equality slip off the world agenda . Our future depends on it . Give women equality of opportunity and the rest will follow .
With Millennium Development Goals to expire , U.N. High Level Panel ##s meet to discuss post-2015 goals . Cherie Blair wants gender equality to remain on U.N. global development agenda . She argues progress has been made , but more must be done to reduce inequality .