Promoting the Status of Women in the UN System: Experiences from an Inside Journey

Abstract

During nearly 30 years the author worked for the advancement of women in the UN system. Focusing on women and development, the article describes her experiences as the leader of the Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO, a delegate to the UNESCO General Conferences and the focal point for women in the Paris secretariat. Subsequently, she held leading positions in Norwegian development cooperation, providing financial support and participating in the governing bodies of a number of UN organisations. She also went into the field and worked for UNICEF in West and Central Africa. The article analyses the efforts to make UN institutions change in a woman-friendly way: which strategies were used, support and resistance, progress and setbacks. Lessons learned regarding strategies to strengthen the position of women are given. The task is more complex than is often realised, and the processes of change require sustained, long-term action by numerous actors, among which the women's movement, governments of member states and the top-level leaders of the UN organisations play key roles. Progress depends on the commitment of both women and men, special knowledge and competence as well as resources.