Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 04/2011

What does civil society at country level expect from the new UN women's agency?

February 2011

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

Released a day ahead of the official launch of UN Women, A Blueprint for UN Women outlines the views of 100 civil society organizations working in 75 countries on women’s human rights, gender equality and social justice, on the role UN Women should play. Commissioned by Oxfam and VSO UK, the survey findings send a clear message that UN Women must deliver on its promise and work with governments to ensure accountability for delivering rights equality and development for women. The foundation of UN Women provides a historic opportunity to transform the lives of women and girls. To deliver results, UN Women must target the most urgent issues for women and absorb the lessons of the past. As it becomes operational, UN Women should build these priorities and new approach into its structures and systems.