Gender Equality

Decision-makers in the field of land administration need a broad understanding of emerging issues and developments that are expected to shape the future of the sector. To this end, the UNECE Working Party on Land Administration agreed to elaborate scenarios for future land administration and land management solutions. This study discusses the future scenarios for the land administration sector, based on the relative importance and anticipated impacts of global megatrends and drivers specifically related to the sector.

Official records of the Report of the Commission on the Status of Women on the sixty-third session (23 March 2018 and 11–22 March 2019). The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. During its annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss progress and commit to further action. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission’s parent body, for follow-up.

This study analyses the Mozambique experience of protecting and promoting fisheries with an emphasis on exploring geographical indication (GI) protection for the white prawn of Mozambique. It is achieved through an in-depth review of data collected from local stakeholders, reports based on past technical support provided by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the literature on GIs, and international and regional treaties and reports, among others. Fishery products such as Mozambican prawns are highly recommended for GI certification, as they have high demand from both local and international consumers.

Launched in 2019, the #Youth4Disarmament (Y4D) initiative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) seeks to engage, educate and empower young people to facilitate their meaningful contribution to disarmament efforts. The “Spotlight Stories” section of the Y4D community website (https://www.youth4disarmament.org/youth_spotlight) offers a space for young people to share – in their own voices and from their own perspectives – why the work of disarmament is critical to building peace and how they are helping push the field forward. This compilation of stories reveals the hope for a better future shared by members of the largest generation in history, and it shows some of the diverse ways they are finding to pursue peace through disarmament in the twenty-first century.

A third of all entrepreneurs in the world are women. Their contribution to development is clear: as their business grow, they inspire, create jobs, and offer themselves, their families, and their communities a chance for a better, more inclusive future. But a third is still too low and women businesses face intersectional challenges that limit their potential, and require bold and collective action to be overcome. The main goal of UNCTAD’s Empretec Programme is to support women entrepreneurs reach their full potential through capacity building, skill development, and business transformation. The Women in Business award is part of the programme. Stories included in this edition showcase women breaking into what had been considered men dominated industries, like mechanics, agriculture, security, and construction. Through them, we learn how women entrepreneurs can face and defeat prejudice with professionalism, technical skill training and advisory.

The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook, Volume 46 (Part I): 2021 is a compilation of the resolutions and decisions of the 76th session of the General Assembly, the voting patterns in the General Assembly and the First Committee, lead sponsors, sponsors and co-sponsors, references to First Committee report and dates of adoption.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the challenges of facing a health crisis and its impact on society and economies. The disruptions caused by the pandemic could potentially leave a lasting scar on the global economy. In an effort to ensure that global supply chains remain functional despite the pandemic, the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) has developed this paper to outline measures to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on trade flows.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the challenges of facing a health crisis and its impact on society and economies. The disruptions caused by the pandemic could potentially leave a lasting scar on the global economy. In an effort to ensure that global supply chains remain functional despite the pandemic, the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) has developed this paper to outline measures to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on trade flows.

This report argues that power in fact rests in the hands of the people, as can be seen in countless local, national and international movements to redistribute power and bring greater attention to neglected issues. Mass movements to redistribute power often have humble beginnings, born out of desperate need or simmering injustice—sparks of frustration that ignite infernos of change. In the early days of the HIV response, grossly insufficient leadership and medical care ignited a global civil society movement. It was the loud and persistent voice of people living with HIV and key populations at high risk of infection that accelerated the pace of research on antiretroviral medicines and drove down their prices, and it is that same determination that continues to expand the provision of affordable, life-saving treatment to millions of people around the world living with HIV.

Cette publication résume les développements et les tendances en 2019 sur les questions clés de considération multilatérale aux niveaux international et régional. Elle examine l'activité de l'Assemblée générale, de la Conférence du désarmement et de la Commission du désarmement. Elle contient une chronologie qui met en lumière les événements du désarmement multilatéral en 2019. Elle contient un avant-propos rédigé par le Haut Représentant pour les affaires de désarmement.

Official records of the Report of the Commission on the Status of Women on the sixty-fifth session (15–26 March 2021). The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. During its annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss progress and commit to further action. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission’s parent body, for follow-up.

This is the official report submitted to the General Assembly by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its Seventy-sixth session (29 June–9 July 2020), Seventy-seventh session (26 October–5 November 2020), Seventy-eighth session (15–25 February and 4 March 2021).

This Guide sets out in detail the content of comprehensive anti-discrimination law. It provides legislators and advocates with the tools to develop anti-discrimination legislation consistent with international legal standards on the rights to equality and non-discrimination. It aims to assist States in meeting their core international law obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil the rights to equality and non-discrimination. This Guide also includes practical examples to assist law- and policy-makers. It also provides specific guidance on the link between anti-discrimination law on the one hand, and minority rights on the other.

This is the annual report submitted to the General Assembly by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its activities for the fifty-second session, fifty-third session, and fifty-fourth sessions.

Official records of the Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Fortieth Session (14 January-1 February 2008), Forty-first Session (30 June-18 July 2008)

The 2021 edition of the World Population Policies provides a brief overview of global fertility levels and trends since the early 1960s and explores government’s views and policies related to fertility. The analysis of views and policies draws on data gathered through 2019 and available in the World Population Policies Database (box 1), reflecting the situation before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The report then presents five case studies of countries from different regions and with a range of fertility levels, exploring in more detail the origin and evolution of national fertility policies. The case studies are followed by an assessment of known or potential direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility patterns and trends. The report concludes with an exploration of policy options that governments may wish to consider in the current context.

The eTrade Readiness Assessment of Mongolia is the thirty-third such assessment conducted by UNCTAD. The Assessment examines the current challenges and opportunities of the digital economy in Mongolia, offering policy recommendations on how the government and development partners can maximize the benefits of digitalization for trade. The digital transformation underway in Mongolia is conducive to the development of e-commerce, both at the domestic and cross-border levels. The assessment shows that public and private sector stakeholders have prioritized further facilitation of cross-border trade and logistics, high-level political support, and supportive legal framework among the key factors which could be conducive to e-commerce growth in Mongolia. This report is expected to contribute to the efforts of the Government of Mongolia to build a robust, safe, and business-friendly environment for e-commerce and digital economy development. Ensuring the potential benefits of e-commerce requires a strong prioritization from the government and a great commitment from development partners. With the eTrade for all partners and coordination through the United Nations Resident Coordination Office in Ulaanbaatar, UNCTAD is committed to supporting Mongolia in its resolve to make e-commerce work for the country’s economic diversification and overall development.

The study identifies and analyzes the existing regional value chains between Mozambique and its neighbouring countries. The study then looks at the potential insertion of women cross-border traders into the identified value chains, with a focus on the challenges faced by these traders and the presentation of a set of policy recommendations.

Le présent examen des politiques se penche sur les opportunités que le commerce électronique offre aux petites entreprises dirigées par des femmes et appartenant à des femmes dans les pays en développement et les pays les moins avancés, et les défis auxquels ces entreprises sont confrontées pour s'engager dans le commerce électronique. Bien qu'il existe déja une vaste documentation sur le commerce électronique, l'examen du commerce électronique sous l'angle de l'égalité des sexes est une entreprise plus récente. Cette publication se propose d'y contribuer. Elle s'adresse à une variété de parties prenantes, mais surtout aux décideurs politiques, dans le but de fournir des conseils sur la manière de concevoir des politiques et des mesures qui améliorent la participation bénéfique des femmes à l'économie en tirant parti du commerce électronique. Le secteur privé est encouragé à examiner les conclusions de cet examen des politiques afin de déterminer les possibilités de collaboration avec le gouvernement, notamment par le biais de partenariats public-privé.

The study identifies and analyzes the existing regional value chains between Mozambique and its neighbouring countries. It looks at the potential insertion of women cross-border traders into the identified value chains, with a focus on the challenges faced by these traders and the presentation of a set of policy recommendations.

Les lignes directrices concernant l’élaboration de normes tenant compte des questions de genre proposent des étapes pratiques pour établir des politiques et des pratiques efficaces, qui soutiennent la participation égale des femmes en tant que priorité stratégique. Le rapport reconnaît que la normalisation est traditionnellement un monde dominé par les hommes et cherche à offrir une base de référence aux organismes d'élaboration de normes (OEN) visant à assurer l'équité dans leurs processus de travail et une plus grande efficacité dans les normes qu'ils élaborent. Les lignes directrices encouragent les organismes d'élaboration des normes à prendre des mesures concertées et à renforcer leur engagement en faveur de l'égalité entre les sexes. Les organismes gouvernementaux sont invités à considérer les normes comme des instruments de changement, capables de soutenir les communautés marginalisées et d'accélérer la réalisation du Programme de développement durable à l'horizon 2030.

Authored by Kerilyn Schewel, this publication in the IOM Migration Research Series explores the aspirations, opportunities and constraints young women navigate as they transition into adulthood, and the rationale behind a decision to migrate as a domestic worker. Based on an in-depth study of the migration decision-making of young women in one rural district of Oromia, Ethiopia, it shows how migration to the Middle East is one way to avoid an early marriage and to access capital otherwise unavailable to low-skilled women in Ethiopia. It then evaluates work opportunities at one Dutch-owned flower farm in the same district, and shows why these jobs will not necessarily act as a substitute to international migration.

The Social Outlook is a flagship ESCAP publication produced every two years with a dedicated focus on social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. In 2022, under the theme of “The Workforce We Need”, the Social Outlook focuses on building a healthy, protected and productive workforce in Asia and the Pacific to achieve inclusive and sustainable development and build back better after COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the presence of four key megatrends including climate change, ageing, digitalization and rising inequalities which has already prompted green, demographic and digital transitions that are altering the future world of work. Through its analysis, the Social Outlook aims to strengthen the evidence base and build capacity of policymakers on how to design and expand social protection, active labour market policies and health systems to achieve a resilient workforce today and in the future. The Report is structured along six chapters. Chapter 1 sets the latest social development context in the region highlighting the need for deepening solidarity and rebuilding trust to implement the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Next, Chapters 2-4 delve into three components of a resilient workforce, namely a healthy, productive, and protected workforce and emphasize the role of such a workforce in inclusive and sustainable development. Chapter 5 discusses policy recommendations for attaining such a workforce in Asia and the Pacific and proposes the renewal of the social contract which can put the region on a path for breakthrough and prosperity. Chapter 6 concludes.

Con cientos de referencias a la jurisprudencia de los mecanismos de derechos humanos de las Naciones Unidas, este manual brinda a los profesionales electorales y de derechos humanos una imagen clara de la estrecha interacción entre las elecciones y el derecho internacional de los derechos humanos. El manual analiza los estándares internacionales de derechos humanos con respecto a los procesos electorales y la participación política, y cómo estos estándares se aplican a aspectos específicos de las elecciones. Temas actuales como la violencia de género en la política, la desinformación y la manipulación de datos, y el impacto de los apagones de Internet se consideran a la luz del derecho internacional de los derechos humanos y las recomendaciones de los expertos de las Naciones Unidas.

With hundreds of references to the jurisprudence of United Nations human rights mechanisms, this handbook provides human rights and electoral practitioners with a clear picture of the close interplay between elections and international human rights law. The handbook discusses international human rights standards regarding electoral processes and political participation, and how these standards apply to specific aspects of elections. Current issues such as gender-based violence in politics, disinformation and data manipulation, and the impact of Internet shutdowns are considered in the light of international human rights law and the recommendations of United Nations experts.