United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, was established on July 2, 2010, as a result of the merger of four previous UN agencies and offices that focused on women’s issues.
This organization is crucial for women because it is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is essential in promoting women’s rights and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
UN Women’s primary responsibilities include providing support to inter-governmental bodies in formulating policies, setting global standards, and norms related to gender equality. They also assist Member States in implementing these standards, offering technical and financial support when needed. Furthermore, UN Women leads and coordinates the work of the United Nations system on gender equality.
Part of their work is to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide, which are serious human rights violations that demand everyone’s attention. These crimes, embedded in gender inequality, threaten the safety, freedom, and dignity of women and girls worldwide. Gender-Based Violence is a term that recognizes the harmful acts inflicted upon individuals due to their gender. Examples can be physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm. Femicide, a severe form of gender-based violence, involves the intentional murder of women because of their gender.
UN Women advocates for the adoption and implementation of laws, policies, and programs that prevent and respond to gender-based violence and femicide, which also ensure access to justice and essential services for survivors. They also collaborate with various partners, including women’s organizations, youth groups, and more, to raise awareness and foster a culture of zero tolerance towards violence against women and girls.
UN Women’s vision is a world where women and girls enjoy equal rights and opportunities and can live free from discrimination, violence, and poverty. UN Women’s mission is to lead and coordinate the UN system’s efforts to achieve this vision and to support the global movement for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Topic at OLMUN 2024: Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
