UNOCD assists member states combat illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. UNOCD provides technical cooperation to enhance state capacities and normative assistance for the ratification of relevant legal texts. The office also engages in research and analytical work to influence policy on transnational crime. [2] "In pursuing its objectives, UNODC makes every effort to integrate and mainstream the gender perspective, particularly in its projects for the provision of alternative livelihoods, as well as those against human trafficking." [3]

UNODC addresses the gender dimensions of its work on HIV-AIDS in prison systems, and amongst trafficked peoples and drug users. Work in the former field references gender as an index and trigger for violence, discrimination, vulnerability and inequality in health. [4] Furthermore, the UNODC focuses on violence against women through its work on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The needs and concerns of women are also considered in these departments' work on Victims Assistance and Support. [5]

Gender Policy Snap Shot:
Mandated by the Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development UNODC is mandated to improve the gender focus of alternative development projects. The office set out the following goals and recommendations for mainstreaming gender in alternative development programmes.

Goals

  • To provide equitable access to alternative development resources and opportunities to men and women, both individually and in groups.
  • To take measures to ensure women and men's equitable access to and full participation in power structures and decision-making in alternative development programmes.
  • To contribute to the United Nations goal of gender equality in staffing, particularly in higher management positions.
  • To include gender assessment as part of the situation analysis for each alternative development project document.
  • To generate and disseminate gender-disaggregated data through monitoring and evaluation of alternative development projects.
  • To define the implementation and monitoring requirements concerning gender in contractual agreements with executing, implementing and cooperating agencies.

Implementation

  • UNODC policy and operations at the country level: Surveys on the drug situation, country profile documents and other basic documents should contain information on the situation with regard to gender. Gender disaggregated data should be part of standard reporting requirements.
  • Alternative development strategies and business plans: Priorities should be identified and alternative development strategies should be based on gender disaggregated data collected in the preparation of country profiles or when conducting drug surveys.
  • Formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNODC alternative development programmes and programme modules: For each step of the project cycle, a list of key questions has to be addressed to ensure gender mainstreaming.
  • UNODC staffing policy and management of alternative development projects: Awareness about gender issues should be improved by training target groups such as villagers, Government counterparts at the district and provincial levels, project staff and visiting consultants. Gender focal points could also be identified in selected field offices. [6]

Also, see the UNODC website's Women's Corner. 

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

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