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UN WOMEN – UNITED NATIONS ENTITY FOR GENDER EQUALITY

About UN Women

UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, is a global advocate for women and girls. Established to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women worldwide, UN Women supports UN Member States in setting global standards for gender equality. The organization collaborates with governments and civil society to design and implement laws, policies, programs, and services that effectively benefit women and girls on a global scale.

Mission and Strategic Priorities

UN Women is dedicated to realizing the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals for women and girls. The organization focuses on four strategic priorities:

1. Women’s equal participation in governance systems.
2. Income security, decent work, and economic autonomy for women.
3. Ensuring a life free from all forms of violence for all women and girls.
4. Empowering women and girls to contribute to and have influence in building sustainable peace, resilience, and benefiting equally from the prevention of natural disasters, conflicts, and humanitarian action.

Coordination and Advocacy

UN Women coordinates and promotes gender equality within the UN system and actively participates in deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The organization works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals and advocates for a more inclusive world.

Status of Women

Gender equality, recognized as a fundamental human right, holds profound socio-economic implications. UN Women strives to address deeply entrenched gender inequalities, including issues of access to decent work, occupational segregation, gender wage gaps, limited access to education and healthcare, violence, and discrimination. The organization actively supports global efforts to overcome these challenges.

Historical Perspective

The creation of UN Women in July 2010 marked a historic step in accelerating the United Nations’ goals on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Prior to its establishment, the UN faced challenges in promoting gender equality globally. UN Women emerged as part of the UN reform agenda, consolidating resources and mandates to enhance impact. It amalgamates the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system:

1. Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
2. International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
3. Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI)
4. United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

UN Women continues to work tirelessly, advocating for the empowerment and rights of women and girls globally, contributing to the overarching mission of achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women.