The United Nations General Assembly initiated UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The UN Member States took a significant step in enhancing the organization’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
All human development and human rights issues have gender dimensions. UN Women emphasizes on priority areas which are fundamental to women’s equality, and that are highly significant on road to success.
Major Focus of this Programme is as follows:
- Violence against Women
This fundamental violation of women’s rights remains widespread throughout the countries. Women need strong laws, backed by proper execution and services for protection and prevention.
- Peace and Security
There is international recognition which women bear the impact of modern conflicts, including where rape is a weapon of war. Specific threats to women must be identified and stopped, and women must be at the centre of peace talks and post-conflict reconstruction.
- Leadership and Participation
Across all areas of life, whether in political bodies or corporate boardrooms, women have a limited say in the decisions that affect them. Quotas and other special measures open more space for women’s participation. New skills help women realize their full leadership potential.
- Economic Empowerment
Women are still far behind men when it comes to access to land, credit and decent jobs. However, research shows that enhancing women’s economic options enhances national economies. Macroeconomic policies and policy-making can make the connections to gender equality. The multiple barriers which prevent women from seizing economic opportunities must be dropped.
- National Planning and Budgeting
Gender equality should be a stated objective of all plans, backed by specific actions for implementation and sufficient funding.
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women sets comprehensive international standards for women’s human rights. Signatory governments are obligated to take steps in laws and policies to achieve these norms.
- Millennium Development Goals
The MDGs offer a basic roadmap for development. Gender equality is the third goal, but it is also important to achieve all eight MDGs, from preventing the spread of HIV to sustain the environment in the face of climate change.
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