General Assembly:

Highest intergovernmental body for the formulation and appraisal of policy, including rights of women and related issues.

Economic and Social Council:

Principal UN organ for coordinating the economic and social work of the UN and its specialized agencies, including the role of women in development.

Commission on Human Rights:

Main UN body on human rights; develops and codifies new international norms and monitors the observance of human rights around the world. A Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, appointed by the Commission, seeks and receives information on violence against women and recommends ways and means to eliminate it.

Commission on the Status of Women:

Main UN body dealing with policy decisions on women's status; monitors women's situation and prepares recommendations for the UN and its Member States.

CEDAW:

A committee of 23 international experts set up to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

DAW:

A division within the UN Secretariat: services CEDAW and CSW and acts as secretariat for UN conferences on women

Specialized agencies and programmes:

Members of the UN system; play key role in stimulating and aiding technical cooperation for development, the key beneficiaries of which are women.

UNIFEM:

Autonomous body in association with UNDP; provides direct support to women's development projects.

INSTRAW:

Autonomous body within UN system; undertakes research and training activities for the advancement of women.