Assistance to Palestinian women – UNIFEM activities – UNIFEM report/SecGen note

Activities of the United Nations Development

Fund for Women

Note by the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the General Assembly the report on the activities of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, prepared pursuant to Assembly resolution 39/125.

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*A/63/150.

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I. Introduction

1. The past year was one of opportunity, challenge and change for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) with the adoption of the latest General Assembly resolution, on UNIFEM resolution 62/135, in which the Assembly reaffirmed the mandate of UNIFEM, and the adoption of General Assembly resolution 62/208, on the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system; in the section of resolution 62/208 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Assembly called upon the United Nations system to avail itself of the technical experience of UNIFEM on gender issues (para. 64). UNIFEM engaged in intensive consultations on — and secured approval of — its strategic plan for 2008-2011 from the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA. Moreover, in 2007 UNIFEM registered significant growth in its resource base, breaking the $100 million mark in total contributions, as well as securing (and, in fact, surpassing) the 2007 and the targets of the multi-year funding framework for regular and other resources. At the same time, debates in the intergovernmental arena, civil society and other forums intensified on how to strengthen the ability of the United Nations system to support countries in advancing gender equality.

2. The year 2008 marks the mid-point of the 15-year period during which Member States have agreed to reach the Millennium Development Goals. With gender equality and women’s empowerment recognized as goals in their own right, as well as central to achieving all the international development goals — including the Millennium Development Goals — the work of UNIFEM and other gender-specialist organizations is of great importance. There is a critical need to ensure that UNIFEM has the capacity, influence, focus and resources to fulfil its dual mandate of providing direct assistance at the country level while being a key driver to assist the United Nations system in adequately supporting countries as they advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with national priorities.

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III. Development effectiveness

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D. Outcome 4

Harmful and discriminatory attitudes and practices change to promote and protect the rights of women and girls

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28. Until support for gender equality and women’s human rights brings about positive changes in attitudes and behaviours at the microlevel, gender equality will remain elusive. There is significant work to be done on changing attitudes and practices to support gender equality in all regions.

Gender disparity in economic resources

32. For many young women in the occupied Palestinian territories, the UNIFEM Sabaya (Young Women) programme, implemented in partnership with UNDP, means a pathway to empowerment. Sabaya centres empower women to become agents of change for a just, peaceful Palestinian society by promoting their participation in the social, economic and political life of their communities. Piloted in 2004, the programme has strengthened 18 women’s centres in the West Bank and Gaza to provide legal advice, psychosocial counselling and other support services.

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