WELCOME TO THE UN GENDER EQUALITY ACCELERATION PLAN
The UN System-Wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP) was launched on 8 March 2024 by the UN Secretary-General as a flagship initiative to accelerate progress on gender equality across the UN system.
It sets out our commitment to accelerate ongoing efforts to achieve much needed internal UN transformation. When fully implemented, the GEAP will enable all UN entities, no matter their mandate, to support all 193 UN Member States and other stakeholders to advance the rights of women and girls.
This ambitious plan is rooted in Our Common Agenda and commits to placing women and girls at the centre of renewed, inclusive multilateralism.
At a time of unprecedented pushback against women’s rights across the world, the United Nations mustleadby example and deliver for and with women and girls.”
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General
Our pillars
The Gender Equality Acceleration Plan consists of five bold pillars each designed to work in concert together to achieve transformative results for gender equality within the United Nations System.
Governance
Good governance is at the heart of GEAP.
Leading the charge, the dynamic Gender Steering Group, chaired by the Secretary-General sets goals and tracks progress at the highest levels of the United Nations System.
The Deputy Secretary General leads the Advisory Group, which brings together Member States, United Nations Entity Principles and civil society.
The Task Team, led by a High-Level Advisor, focuses on problem-solving and oversees six working groups that implement GEAP initiatives.
Coordination is managed by the GEAP Secretariat, based in UN-Women, with support from the Task Team.
Spotlight
ESCAP’s gender architecture
ESCAP established its Gender Equality Steering Committee in 2025 to guide implementation of the GEAP and UN-SWAP 3.0. Led by the Executive Secretary, it provides strategic direction and accountability, oversees ESCAP’s Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan 2025–2030, and strengthens resource mobilization for gender equality across the region. Read the 2025 ESCAP Gender Equality Policy here.
Advancing women’s career pathways through targeted capacity‑building
The Early Career Initiative for Women at the UN in Vienna and UNODC supported 141 women from 33 countries, with one third reporting career advancement. Cross‑entity platforms broaden peer learning, while FAO and ITC use coaching and 360‑degree feedback to support women with high leadership potential.Find more success stories here.
Strengthening accountability and leadership for gender equality
UNOPS launched its Gender Equality Marker to track contributions to gender equality and women’s empowerment. It drafted its GESI Strategy 2026–2029, aligned to GEAP, and expanded its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) team. By linking results with inclusive conduct, ethical behaviour and respect for diversity, the People, Performance and Planning (PPP) philosophy translated GEAP priorities on leadership accountability and institutional culture change into everyday practice. Read more here.
Leveraging partnerships to advance gender equality
UNHCR advances gender equality through private‑sector partnerships that mobilize resources, expertise and innovative solutions for displaced women and girls, supporting protection, opportunities and dignified futures worldwide. Learn more here.
News
GEAP Guidance for Country Teams
To accelerate real impact for women and girls, GEAP’s Country-Level Working Group, co-chaired by DCO and UN Women, launched guidance for UN Resident Coordinators and Country Teams. Read here.
3 December, 2025
Transformative Leadership Options Paper[PDF]
UNDP and UNICEF spearhead GEAP’s Options Paper on Transformative Leadership Training, driving gender-responsive leadership and system-wide change. Explore the paper.
30 November, 2025
Release of the GEAP progress report[PDF]
The Secretary General’s Progress Report on the GEAP for 2025 details advancements made by UN Entities towards implementing the GEAP. It also showcases promising practices and ways forward for 2025.
8 March, 2025
Documents
The Gender Equality Acceleration Plan regularly releases documents pertinent to the progress of the plan as well as related materials and resources.
Explore these materials to learn more about the GEAP, its goals and progress.
