Gender Coherence Discussions Move Toward Institutional Reform

New York, 26 June 2008 – Member States decided last week (Monday, 16 June) to move toward discussions on institutional reform options for improved gender coherence, following the release of a preliminary concept note from Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

The 5 June concept note – requested by the GA’s co-Chairs for SWC consultations, Ambassadors John Kavanagh of Ireland and Augustine Mahiga of Tanzania – reviews the current status of the UN’s gender-related activities and programmes. The paper deliberately avoids any discussion of potential institutional reforms to the UN’s gender architecture to allow for a thorough “airing” of views on current programmes. The note concludes, however, that there is a critical gap in the current system between Member States’ expectations and the UN’s capacity to respond to issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The 16 June informal consultations resulted in a decision to request a second concept note from the Secretary-General, in which he would detail the range of institutional options for improving the UN’s performance in gender-related activities.

Secretary-General’s Concept Note

In previous consultations Member States have disagreed over the recommendations of the 2006 High-level Panel on System-wide Coherence (HLP), which included instituting a new UN entity on gender and an Under-Secretary-General post on gender and women’s rights. As a result of the divergent views co-Chairs Kavanagh and Mahiga announced during 16 May consultations that there would be no immediate efforts to expedite an agreement. As a result, Member States agreed to ask the Secretary-General to prepare a paper outlining the UN’s current capacities for gender-related activities.

The note identifies four gaps in the UN’s system that hinder its capacity in gender equality and women’s empowerment:

1. Coordination and Coherence: Decisions taken at UN headquarters are implemented on the ground only weakly, and channels for reporting feedback are inadequate. The current infrastructure does not allow for prioritising issues.
2. Authority and Positioning: The shared responsibilities of the various gender specialists and advisors cannot substitute for the lack of a designated leader, and the lack of a “recognised driver” is restricting the UN’s ability to take action.
3. Accountability: The political will and support for gender equality from senior management in the UN system is inconsistent and inadequate. The system also suffers from a lack of system-wide standards or consequences for non-performance.
4. Resources: Financial resources for gender equality activities are inadequate and unpredictable. The UN’s ability to track resource allocations and expenditures on gender equality activities is limited.

The note concludes without specific recommendations for overcoming such gaps, but suggests that it is critical for the UN to work towards overcoming them.

Discussion of the Concept Note

The 16 June consultations were opened by co-Chair Kavanagh, who observed that both the Secretary-General and Member States have expressed similar views on the strengths and weaknesses of the current structure. Kavanagh urged Member States not to rush towards institutional reform without giving full consideration to the status and potential of the current system.

Following the Co-Chair’s statement, delegates heard from Under-Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro who noted that past accomplishments towards gender equality do not meet the current demands for action. She also described the lack of coherence between normative decisions taken at headquarters and their implementation within the UN’s current structure of programmes and activities

Member States generally agreed that the current structure of programmes and activities cannot cope with increased demands for gender-related activities. They disagreed, however, over how to address the gaps in achievement and coherence (as identified above). Member States’ comments fell into three broad categories:

1. Supports the creation of a new gender entity and/or Under-Secretary-General post:

European Union: A new UN entity on gender must address current gaps in the implementation of Member States’ international commitments on gender, and the appointment of a dedicated high-level official is an appropriate way to achieve objectives. Encourages the Secretary-General to present concrete proposals on how to improve the UN system.

Liberia: The matter of gender equality and women’s empowerment is of enough significance to require a new UN entity.

Mozambique: More needs to be done to fill current gaps in the system. Supports a system-wide strategic policy on gender between all UN entities and Member States.

South Korea: It is time to move forward; the Secretary-General should prepare models for consideration by Member States. It is essential to appoint an Under-Secretary-General on gender.

2. Does not support the creation of a new gender entity and/or Under-Secretary-General post:

Joint Coordinating Committee of the G77 and Non-Aligned Movement: Would encourage a more analytical approach to scenarios for overcoming the four key challenges. Member States still have many questions, and further discussions are needed.

China: The strengthening of existing mechanisms should be considered as an option, and there is no evidence to show that a new entity would solve current problems.

India: The creation of a new gender entity will hardly impact the ability of existing agencies to meet current needs. Also, the creation of a new entity would require hugely increased resources that are currently unavailable.

3. Does not take a specific position on the HLP’s recommendations, but supports moving forward on the basis of further reports from Secretary-General’s office:

Australia (on behalf of CANZ): Concurs with the four key challenges outlined in the Secretary-General’s note. Remains open to exploring multiple options for strengthening gender equality at the UN under the leadership and guidance of Under-Secretary-General Migiro.

Finland (on behalf of Nordic Countries): Delegates need to progress quickly in response to the Secretary-General’s note. Supports asking the Secretary-General for a concrete proposal to strengthen the UN system in the gender area.

Brazil: Strongly supports a strengthened and more coordinated approach to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Suggests that the Secretary-General issue another note to further elaborate on ways forward.

Andorra, the Philippines, Switzerland, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Benin also offered their support for moving forward on the basis of a further report from the office of the Secretary-General.

Mexico, Rwanda and Mongolia spoke of the urgent need for reform. The Pacific Small Island Developing States suggested that the approach to and analysis of gender issues be integrated with climate change and other cross-cutting issues. Afghanistan spoke of its direct experience with the current system restricting coherence and effectiveness.

Next Steps

The co-Chairs are now preparing a report on the current status of Member States’ consultations.

General Assembly President Kerim has been requested to ask the Secretary-General to present a second concept note suggesting a range of institutional reform options for improving gender equality and women’s empowerment across the UN system.

It is expected that both the report of the co-Chairs and the Secretary-General’s second concept note will be available mid-July.

Documents

Co-Chairs' Letter to the GA President Requesting a Report from the Secretary-General on Institutional Options for Gender Reform (17 June 2008)

Co-Chairs’ Statement on System-wide Coherence: Gender (16 June 2008)

Secretary-General's Concept Note on the UN System Support to Member States on Gender Equality (5 June 2008)

‘Delivering as One’ – Report of the High-level Panel on System-wide Coherence (9 November 2006)

ReformtheUN.org "Latest Developments" is a free email service.  To subscribe, go to http://reformtheun.org/mailman/listinfo/latestdevelopments. Please forward this announcement to individuals and organizations interested in UN reform.