The NGO Committee on the Status of Women in Geneva has reached far and wide to prepare our response to the UN Secretary General’s UN80 proposed merger of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This reform proposal has forced us all to take a long, hard look at the imperative of the mandates, their track records, and the expected disruptions of a world without them. We recognize an opportunity for improvement without merger, and a broader sharing of administrative and financial burdens. This is our collective urgent appeal to Member States.
After one year of meetings, research, preparation of position papers, gathering input from our NGO local chapters that represent many thousands, and, most recently, reaching out to other networks of women’s organizations and experts across the globe through a series of consultations, we agreed to the accompanying statement and recommendations. Many of us have worked alongside and in collaboration with both UN Women and UNFPA over many years and know their strengths and imperfections. We are all convinced that preserving the integrity of both entities is essential. Such reform should be guided not by administrative considerations but by the protection of internationally agreed mandates, continuity of essential services, and measurable improvements in the lives of women and girls that affect whole populations.
Tag: UN Women
NGO CSW Geneva has worked with member organizations and sister organizations to bring together a wide variety of stakeholders to consult on UN gender architecture. In light of the UN80 discussions and the Summit of the Future recommendations including a proposed merger of UN Women and UNFPA, our members have brought together their expertise to consider solutions to the challenges faced by the UN.
It was noted that the financial crisis is historical and it cannot be used as an excuse to undermine the progress that has been made for women and girls globally. Our members are adamant that what is needed is a robust single entity for women and girls at the UN and there can be no compromise by the UN on this point. The recognition by Member States that the peace and prosperity of humanity can only be achieved once there is full equality between women and men is vital. The UN must recognize that there is no place for a diminution in the representation of women across the UN nor loss of funding or visibility.
UN 80 Reform Initiative- Support Shadow Paper II – Prioritising Womens Visibility and Agency -Shaila Rao Mistry 7-31-2026-2Download
“We have to think of a very bold goal – one that can be destiny changing.”
Un Women Executive Director, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, on the post-2015 agenda
After concluding a two-day conference in Geneva to support women’s participation and voice in the Syrian peace process, and before flying off to London for another pressing engagement, UN Women Executive Director, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, met with members of NGO CSW Geneva on 15 January for a first encounter and open dialogue.
Read the full report on this meeting, kindly shared by NGO SCW Geneva member FAWCO
Simon Ovart, our Committee’s Vice-President was elected President of the Italian National Committee at UN Women, the new UN Agency dedicated to Women.
UN Women National Committees support the mission of UN Women through their dynamic membership programs, public education about UN Women and global women’s issues, and private sector fundraising to support UN Women programs worldwide.
Simone also had the opportunity, during the CSW 55th in New-York last february, to meet with UN Women’s head, Mrs Bachelet, and delivered a letter from the NGO-CSW President Conchita Poncini.