Strengthening National Mechanisms for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women A Global Synthesis Study
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Strengthening National Mechanisms for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women A Global Synthesis Study
Author
Jahan, Rounaq
Date
2010Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A major development since the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 has been
the establishment of new mechanisms, in addition to national machineries, to promote
achievement of the goal of gender equality and the empowerment of women. There has been
little documented research on the roles, relationships, achievements and challenges of these
multiple and diversified mechanisms. Therefore, in preparation of the fifteen-year review of the
implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, the United Nations
Division for the Advancement of Women, in close collaboration with the five regional
commissions of the United Nations, decided to undertake a comprehensive study of the national
mechanisms based on the review of experiences in all five regions of the United Nations:
Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic and Social
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific, and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. This global synthesis
study presents key findings from six regional studies commissioned by the five regional
commissions.
The global synthesis study was conceptualized and conducted through a consultative process
between the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women and the regional
commissions. Two Expert Meetings were organized to develop the terms of reference of the
regional and global studies and review the findings of the regional studies. This global synthesis
study has been finalized after a peer review by the regional commissions, regional consultants,
and the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women.
The study analyses the trends in the evolution of the mechanisms in terms of their structure,
mandate, role/function and main areas of work. It explores how the various mechanisms
coordinate and collaborate with each other as well as with other stakeholders. It elaborates the
achievements as well as the constraints and challenges of the mechanisms. Finally, based on the
findings, the study recommends a few priority actions for the future.