The United Nations has made important strides in advancing women's roles in s...

The United Nations has made important strides in advancing women's roles in security, governance and civic life. We support the Secretary-General's recommendation that greater attention should be devoted to women's empowerment and rights when establishing or renewing mission mandates. And we commend him for placing more women in leadership positions and increasing the number of gender advisers in the field. Their support to local civil society groups has been critical, and it is clear that the United Nations can have a significant impact when it partners with civil society. UN-Women's Fund for Gender Equality typifies that approach by partnering with regional, national and local women's organizations as well as with Government institutions to get more women engaged economically and politically.