UN Reform: What's at Stake for Women?

Redressing gender inequalities can help towards reducing poverty, enhancing economic productivity and improving family nutrition. It can also control the spread of HIV/AIDS, improve the use of natural resources and promote long-lasting peace. The United Nations (UN) is the only institution with the legitimacy to trigger changes in the women's rights arena on a global scale and it has taken some important steps in that direction. However it is not structured effectively to address women's rights and needs. Gender issues are tackled in a fragmented way by its various units, that are often short staffed, and budgets are tiny in comparison to other UN programmes. There is little in-country presence and only a handful of sub-regional offices. Out of the 2005 World Summit came the recommendation that the UN needs to reform its structure and on-the-ground operations in order to face future challenges and monitor progress in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Pressed and advised by the global women's movement, the Panel appointed to figure out how to revamp the UN saw gender equality as central to UN work. Its recommendations included the creation of a new UN women's agency, a new mandate to work at both the global and local level and much more substantive resources, both in terms of staff and budget.