Establishment of New UN Body on Gender Equality

In a historic move, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously to create a new entity to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. The establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — to be known as UN Women — is a result of years of negotiations between UN Member States and advocacy by the global women’s movement. “I am grateful to Member States for having taken this major step forward for the world’s women and girls,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement welcoming the decision. “UN Women will significantly boost UN efforts to promote gender equality, expand opportunity, and tackle discrimination around the globe.”
UN Women merges and will build on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system which focus exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment:
■ Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW, established in 1946)
■ International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW, established in 1976)
■ Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI, established in 1997)
■ United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, established in 1976)
UN Women — which will be operational by January 2011 — will be a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls, providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels. It will enhance, not replace, efforts by other parts of the UN system (such as UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA) that continue to have responsibility to work for gender equality and women’s empowerment in their areas of expertise.

Alter Gender Sprache Englisch