Other Conventions and UN Bodies

Universal Period Review (UPR)

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a process within the United Nations wherein all 192 member states are reviewed every four years for their implementation and adherence to human rights treaties. The UPR is driven by member states under the guidance of the Human Rights Council. During the review, countries have the opportunity to declare what actions they have implemented to meet their human rights obligations.

New United Nations Agency for Women?

On November 9 2006, the Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on System-Wide Coherence released its report, Delivering as One. This report recommends the establishment of one dynamic UN entity focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment, headed by an Executive Director with the rank of Under Secretary-General. This gender entity would consolidate the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues (OSAGI) and UNIFEM, the three existing UN entities which currently deal with women’s equality and empowerment.

Gender Equality as Smart Economics: A World Bank Group Gender Action Plan

In September 2006, the World Bank released its Gender Action Plan (GAP) entitled Gender Equality as Smart Economics, which covers the 2007-2010 time frame.

The Action Plan seeks to advance women’s economic empowerment in order to promote shared growth, gender equality and women’s empowerment. The World Bank claims this will not only benefit women, but society as a whole. According to the GAP report, “the business case for expanding women’s economic opportunities is becoming increasingly evident; this is nothing more than smart economics.”

American Convention on Human Rights


Ratifying the American Convention on Human Rights: The Stakes for Women
Discussion Paper November 2003

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