UNDP United Nations Development Programme

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1965 with Resolution 2029, the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) aims to support national efforts of developing countries achieve economic development. Now geared around achieving the Millennium Development Goals, UNDP’s four main areas of work include democratic governance, poverty reduction, conflict prevention, environment and energy, and HIV/AIDS. Integrated across these issues is a particular attention to gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

“Though a gender equality strategy, UNDP seeks to eliminate gender biases in national and international development; incorporate gender awareness into policies, programmes and institutional reforms; involve men to end gender inequality; and develop gender-sensitive tools to monitor progress and ensure accountability.”

UNDP’s 8-Point agenda for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality in Crisis Prevention and Recovery reflects the dual focus on participation and protection. It calls for access to gender justice and an end to violence against women; greater participation of women in political decision-making, peace processes recovery, and disaster risk reduction; as well as a gender-sensitive consciousness through education on gender equality and the inclusion of women’s concerns on national agendas.

Key to the empowerment of women is the provision for their participation. UNDP seeks to enhance the number of women in public office as well as the capacities of women’s organizations. UNDP’s mission includes setting up a framework conducive for women’s participation through institutional reform – electoral processes, political parties, parliaments, judiciaries and civil services – international and regional women's instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

By enhancing women’s control over decision-making, gender equality in the household translates into better prospects and greater well-being of children, reducing poverty of future generations. Similar strategies to enhanced participation and decision making apply to the protection and sustenance of biodiversity and natural resources.

A conducive environment for participation also requires protection of women and their concerns. UNDP’s mission aims at equal legal protection for men and women, equal access and quality of public services, reduced gender based violence, and discussing the gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS. [6]

On February 2014, UNDP released a document with 'Fast Facts' on gender equality and UNDP. Click here to view the document.

UNDP has also developed a system wide review of SCR 1325 as well as an Action Plan on SCR 1325, which can be found below. 
 

Source: UNDP

Contact Information

For more information, please visit the official UNDP website.

Latest update: 29 August 2014