news
UN approves long-awaited new women's agency
by Thalif Deen
Date: 14 September 2009
Source: IPS News
The General Assembly of the UN has adopted a resolution to create a separate UN agency for women which will be headed by an under-secretary-general - on a par with UNICEF, UNFPA and UNHCR. The current four women's UN entities - none of which are as politically powerful and financially stable as a fully-fledged UN agency - will be consolidated into one entity. The head of Oxfam's gender campaign said that some member states tried to weaken the new entity's mandate at the last minute and it will mean absolutely nothing if member states fail to give it a clear mission. To ensure that women's rights get real political backing, there must be a swift appointment of an under-secretary-general by next year. Donor countries are still to pledge substantial funding. A coalition of over 300 international non-governmental organisations said it was pleased that the General Assembly expressed strong and unanimous support in adopting the resolution.