Created by the UN General Assembly in July 2010 to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide, UN Women has been fully operational from January 1.

It was formed by merging the Division for Advancement of Women, International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women and UN Development Fund for Women.

Sangita Thapa, programme coordinator at UN Women, said the organisation would help develop expertise, programming and budget in support of gender equality and women empowerment.

“UN Women will enhance, not replace efforts of other bodies of the UN system. It will continue to work for gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said Thapa.

At an interaction in the Capital today, she said UN Women would be a lead driver and voice advocating gender equality and women’s empowerment globally, regionally and in the countries where it is operating and added that UN Women would focus on violence against women, peace and security, leadership and participation, economic empowerment, national planning and budgeting, human rights and Millennium Development Goal.

UN Women also supports inter-governmental bodies such as Commission on the Status of Women in formulating policies, global norms and helps member states implement these policies by providing suitable technical and financial support, apart from supporting member countries in implementing and monitoring inter-governmental agreements.

It will act as a ‘hub’ for knowledge and experience as it is a part of the United Nations reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact, Thapa informed.

“It will work for elimination of discrimination against women and girls, empowerment of women, achievement of equality between men and women as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian actions and peace and security,” said the programme coordinator.