For several years, advocates have promoted the Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) campaign at the United Nations, which would create a stronger, consolidated, higher status women’s entity and an effective presence on behalf of women to be led by a newly created Under Secretary General position.

 In a positive movement in this direction, in September 2009, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 63/311, which supports the integration of four United Nations entities [Office of Special Adviser on Gender Issues; Division for the Advancement of Women; UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); and the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women] into one entity. 

In December 2009, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon submitted a comprehensive report on this effort to the Member State representatives for approval.

The Secretary General’s report sets out the mission statement and organizational arrangements, including an organization chart and provisions related to funding and an executive board to oversee operational activities. It also proposes that the composite entity be a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly (GA) and report to the GA through the Economic and Social Council.  The Commission on the Status of Women will play a crucial role in guiding its work and an executive board will oversee its operational activities.

The gender equality architecture of the UN system will be centered in this composite entity, which will comprise the capacities of the whole system working for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It will provide coherent and timely support to Member States in their efforts to enhance their capacity to achieve gender equality, consistent with the principles of national ownership. The report proposes a headquarters structure to cover the new functions and continue to implement existing mandates. The new entity will be led by an Under-Secretary-General to ensure the necessary authority and leadership; she will be a member of all senior United Nations decision-making bodies.

The composite entity will apply the lessons of coherence, efficiency and effectiveness emerging from good practices at all levels. Further it provides to meet the needs for:

• a strong voice for women and girls at the global, regional and local levels;
• better support for Member States as they enhance the normative and policy environment for accelerating progress towards full equality for women and girls, both globally and locally;
• assistance for national partners as they respond to critical gaps and challenges by leading the UN system in developing and implementing innovative and catalytic initiatives; and
• insuring an enhanced UN response to country-defined needs and priorities of women and girls, including the development of national capacity, in a more effective, collaborative and coherent way.

Read the Secretary-General’s entire report.