UNESCO's Priority Gender Equality Initiatives

1. Priority Gender Equality 34th Session of the General Conference 17 October 2007, 10-11 am, Room IX Section for Women and Gender Equality Bureau of Strategic Planning

2. Background • 2005 Ten-Year Review of the Beijing Platform for Action • 2005 World Summit Outcome Document

3. 2005 World Summit Outcome Document(10 June 2000); paragraphs 12 & 59 • “12. We reaffirm that gender equality and the promotion and protection of the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all are essential to advance development and peace and security.” • “59. We recognize the importance of gender mainstreaming as a tool for achieving gender equality.”

4. UNESCO Response • 31 C/4: mainstreaming women and integrating a gender perspective • 2005 September: Launch of UNESCO’s Mandatory Capacity Development and Training in Gender Mainstreaming Programme • Draft 34 C/4: UNESCO’s draft Medium Term Strategy 2008-2013

5. UNESCO’s draft Medium Term Strategy2008-2013 • Gender Equality is designated as one of two global priorities of the organization for 2008-2013 • Gender Equality is a fundamental right, a commonly shared value • Gender Equality is a goal in and of itself • Gender Equality is also a necessary condition to achieve other internationally agreed development goals.

6. Key features of UNESCO’s new policy focus on Gender Equality (I) • Gender Equality to be achieved through a dual approach: • 1) gender specific programming • 2) gender mainstreaming

7. Key features of UNESCO’s new policy focus on Gender Equality (II) • Advocacy for Gender Equality at every level, including inter-agency fora. • Advocacy for gender equality in policy dialogue with Member States

8. Key features of UNESCO’s new policy focus on Gender Equality (III) • 34 C/4 commits UNESCO to preparing a results-based action plan; and to “reporting on results against specific gender-relevant indicators”; • UNESCO’s strategy to promote gender equality is complemented by internal HRM objectives. UNESCO has committed itself to supporting equal career opportunities for staff and appropriate working arragements to balance work and life; and, to progressively increase the representation of women in decision-making levels within the Secretariat to reach 50% by 2015.

9. Priority Gender Equality Action Plan 2008-2013: Process • Priority Gender Equality Action Plan: 2008-2013 • Consultations with sectors - HQ • Regional consultations with Field Offices • Inter-agency consultations

10. Priority Gender Equality Action Plan 2008-2013: Content • The Gender Equality Action Plan will establish: • Specific actions by Sectors and Field Offices • Expected results • Performance indicators • Timelines • Lines of responsibility • Accountability mechanisms • Institutional arrangements • Budget allocations for the first biennium, as well as indications of commitments for subsequent biennia.

11. Priority Gender Equality: Roles and Responsibilities (I) • Section for Women and Gender Equality, BSP • Policy advice • Coordination • Liaison • Guidelines and tools • Capacity development and training for gender mainstreaming • Technical support • Organization of high-level conferences, Round Tables, workshops and other events • Programming in support of women’s leadership through UNESCO – SE WTA partnership • Monitoring of gender balance in the Secretariat

12. Priority Gender Equality: Roles and Responsibilities (II) • Sectors & Field Offices • Programming to promote empowerment and gender equality through gender-specific programmes • Gender mainstreaming in programming

13. Gender Equality: A shared goal with the Private Sector • UNESCO / Sony-Ericsson Women’s Tennis Association Partnership for Gender Equality • L’OREAL-UNESCO partnership “For Women in Science” • Calling for more partnerships

14. For more information please visit UNESCO’s global resource for Gender Equality + www.unesco.org/women