Frequently asked questions
Why do we need the new UN gender equality entity?
The UN's current structure which deals with gender equality and women's empowerment is fragmented and and under resourced. There are four entities working exclusively on women's issues. DAW (division for Advancement of Women) and OSAGI (Office of the Special Advisor for Gender Issues) work on policy and assist other UN bodies, INSTRAW (UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women) works research and training, and UNIFEM (UN Development Fund for Women) is a fund that does operational work on the ground mainly in developing countries. These entities are and their representatives do not have access to the highest decision-making tables at the UN. ammes such as UNDP and UNFPA do important work on gender equality.
How will the new entity improve the situation?
The new ‘Composite Entity’ will have both normative and operation functions. By holistically incorporating both a global policy-making mandate and a strong programmatic (operational) capacity at global, regional and national levels, the new entity, if properly implemented, will remedy the existing fragmentation of the current system and deliver effective results for women. Its hybrid structure brings together the normative and operational elements of the Department, Fund and Program. ing women’s rights entities, DAW, OSAGI, UNIFEM, and INSTRAW. To improve the UN’s women’s rights work, the entity will have important new functions, such as leading and coordinating the UN’s work on gender equality and women’s empowerment globally, regionally and in the countries where it is active, and holding the UN system accountable for gender mainstreaming. The new entity will be lead by an Under-Secretary General who is a member of the Chief Executives Board, and it will have more financial resources than the existing entities.
When will the new Composite Gender equality entity be established?
This depends on the UN Member States. In September 2009 they adopted a resolution on System-wide Coherence (GA resolution 63/311) that “strongly supports” the establishment of a new composite entity. Now they have to pass another resolution that officially established the new entity and defines its functions. At the moment (beginning of May 2010) Member States are negotiating about the text and it is expected that they will come to agreement by July 2010 and the entity will be launched in September 2010.
When will the head of the new entity be appointed?
The Secretary General has asked Member States to nominate candidates for the Under-Secretary General position to lead the new entity. He will be able to nominate the USG after the General Assembly has passed a resolution that entitles him to do so. Finding the right person to be the first leader of the new gender equality entity is critical for its success. The GEAR Campaign has established criteria for recruitment, and will monitor the recruitment process, evaluating the suitability of candidates.
What will the new Composite Entity be called?
Currently a name for the new Composite Entity has not yet been formally announced. Some have suggested UN-WOMEN.
How will the new entity be funded?
The composite entity will be funded by both voluntary contributions and the regular budget of the United Nations. Under the proposal submitted by the Secretary-General, approximately $125 million per year is needed for a basic staff costs and “start up” capacity at the country, regional and Headquarters levels. An additional $375 million per year is needed in the initial phase to respond to country-level requests for United Nations programming support. To achieve this initial target, the UN Member States will have to more than double their financial contributions from the level of 2009 when the income of the existing UN gender entities was 220 million USD. The GEAR Campaign believes that 500 million USD is a good starting point, but that the budget of the entity should be increased over time, 1 billion USD being a more appropriate funding target.
In which countries will the new entity be present?
The Composite Entity will work with all countries to support intergovernmental efforts and do advocacy work and to exchange good practice. However, it will only have a physical presence in a limited number of countries, and it will not provide programmatic support for wealthier countries. The Secretary-General proposes that the new entity could start in those around 80 countries where UNIFEM has presence at the moment. In addition, it should have regional offices that will give support in countries where the entity does not have physical presence. Expansion of country-presence, as well as the volume of operational activities taken at country level will depend on available resources. The GEAR Campaign has been advocating for a robust country presence and strong operational capacity.
What mechanisms should be put in place to ensure civil society participation in the new entity?
The GEAR Campaign thinks that the UN General Assembly should recognize that civil society organizations, and especially women's organizations, have played a vital role in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, and decide that non-governmental organizations will be invited to take part in the work of the UN gender entity's Executive Board and that systematic mechanisms for meaningful participation will be established at regional and country level.
What will happen to the existing UN gender equality entities?
Once established, the new entity will absorb UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women, DAW (Division for Advancement of Women), INSTRAW (UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women) and OSAGI (Office of the Special Advisor in Gender Issues). It will incorporate all of their mandates and assets, and therefore continue their work. UNIFEM’s donor-supported programmes will be carried over to the new entity since there are pre-existing agreements with programme countries and donors.
Why do we need the new UN gender equality entity?
The UN's current structure which deals with gender equality and women's empowerment is fragmented and and under resourced. There are four entities working exclusively on women's issues. DAW (division for Advancement of Women) and OSAGI (Office of the Special Advisor for Gender Issues) work on policy and assist other UN bodies, INSTRAW (UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women) works research and training, and UNIFEM (UN Development Fund for Women) is a fund that does operational work on the ground mainly in developing countries. These entities are and their representatives do not have access to the highest decision-making tables at the UN. ammes such as UNDP and UNFPA do important work on gender equality.
How will the new entity improve the situation?
The new ‘Composite Entity’ will have both normative and operation functions. By holistically incorporating both a global policy-making mandate and a strong programmatic (operational) capacity at global, regional and national levels, the new entity, if properly implemented, will remedy the existing fragmentation of the current system and deliver effective results for women. Its hybrid structure brings together the normative and operational elements of the Department, Fund and Program. ing women’s rights entities, DAW, OSAGI, UNIFEM, and INSTRAW. To improve the UN’s women’s rights work, the entity will have important new functions, such as leading and coordinating the UN’s work on gender equality and women’s empowerment globally, regionally and in the countries where it is active, and holding the UN system accountable for gender mainstreaming. The new entity will be lead by an Under-Secretary General who is a member of the Chief Executives Board, and it will have more financial resources than the existing entities.
When will the new Composite Gender equality entity be established?
This depends on the UN Member States. In September 2009 they adopted a resolution on System-wide Coherence (GA resolution 63/311) that “strongly supports” the establishment of a new composite entity. Now they have to pass another resolution that officially established the new entity and defines its functions. At the moment (beginning of May 2010) Member States are negotiating about the text and it is expected that they will come to agreement by July 2010 and the entity will be launched in September 2010.
When will the head of the new entity be appointed?
The Secretary General has asked Member States to nominate candidates for the Under-Secretary General position to lead the new entity. He will be able to nominate the USG after the General Assembly has passed a resolution that entitles him to do so. Finding the right person to be the first leader of the new gender equality entity is critical for its success. The GEAR Campaign has established criteria for recruitment, and will monitor the recruitment process, evaluating the suitability of candidates.
What will the new Composite Entity be called?
Currently a name for the new Composite Entity has not yet been formally announced. Some have suggested UN-WOMEN.
How will the new entity be funded?
The composite entity will be funded by both voluntary contributions and the regular budget of the United Nations. Under the proposal submitted by the Secretary-General, approximately $125 million per year is needed for a basic staff costs and “start up” capacity at the country, regional and Headquarters levels. An additional $375 million per year is needed in the initial phase to respond to country-level requests for United Nations programming support. To achieve this initial target, the UN Member States will have to more than double their financial contributions from the level of 2009 when the income of the existing UN gender entities was 220 million USD. The GEAR Campaign believes that 500 million USD is a good starting point, but that the budget of the entity should be increased over time, 1 billion USD being a more appropriate funding target.
In which countries will the new entity be present?
The Composite Entity will work with all countries to support intergovernmental efforts and do advocacy work and to exchange good practice. However, it will only have a physical presence in a limited number of countries, and it will not provide programmatic support for wealthier countries. The Secretary-General proposes that the new entity could start in those around 80 countries where UNIFEM has presence at the moment. In addition, it should have regional offices that will give support in countries where the entity does not have physical presence. Expansion of country-presence, as well as the volume of operational activities taken at country level will depend on available resources. The GEAR Campaign has been advocating for a robust country presence and strong operational capacity.
What mechanisms should be put in place to ensure civil society participation in the new entity?
The GEAR Campaign thinks that the UN General Assembly should recognize that civil society organizations, and especially women's organizations, have played a vital role in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, and decide that non-governmental organizations will be invited to take part in the work of the UN gender entity's Executive Board and that systematic mechanisms for meaningful participation will be established at regional and country level.
What will happen to the existing UN gender equality entities?
Once established, the new entity will absorb UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women, DAW (Division for Advancement of Women), INSTRAW (UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women) and OSAGI (Office of the Special Advisor in Gender Issues). It will incorporate all of their mandates and assets, and therefore continue their work. UNIFEM’s donor-supported programmes will be carried over to the new entity since there are pre-existing agreements with programme countries and donors.
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