Strengthening National Mechanisms for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women A Global Synthesis Study

Abstract

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.