UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) contributes to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Founded in 1945, UNESCO’s Constitution outlines the organization’s purpose.

Gender Equality

The Division for Gender Equality (GE), located within the Office of the Director-General, is responsible for ensuring the implementation of UNESCO’s global priority for gender equality. It does so by informing and influencing policy making and implementation by creating awareness about how social structures are gendered and affect the attainment of equality between men and women, boys and girls. 

More particularly, the Gender Equality Action Plan 2008-2013 is focused on the following three strategic outcomes: a) Progressive increase in the number and quality of gender-responsive and gender-transformative programmes and initiatives in all of UNESCO’s fields of competence (education, science, culture and communication and information); b) Advancement of women’s empowerment and gender equality in Member States through policy dialogue and programmes and initiatives promoted by UNESCO; and c) Institutionalization of the commitment to gender equality in the Secretariat with an objective to change the gender parity of staff at senior management levels.

In regions of armed conflict or post-conflict, UNESCO has programmes that reflect the women, peace and security agenda. In particular, by strongly connecting to Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and following resolutions, UNESCO aims to amplify the knowledge and understanding regarding the transformations that occur in gender relations during and after conflict; to guarantee the protection of women’s rights; and women’s full participation in peace-making, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.

In regions of armed conflict or post-conflict, UNESCO has programmes that reflect the women, peace and security agenda. In particular, by strongly connecting to Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and following resolutions, UNESCO aims to amplify the knowledge and understanding regarding the transformations that occur in gender relations during and after conflict; to guarantee the protection of women’s rights; and women’s full participation in peace-making, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. To this end UNESCO has established Research and Documentation Centres on gender and peacebuilding, in Palestine (Ramallah), and for the Great Lakes Region (based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo). UNESCO is also pursuing programmes aimed at prevention of sexual and gender-based violence during conflict and in post-conflict settings. A large pilot project is currently underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Source: UNESCO

Contact Information

For more information, please visit the official UNESCO website.