{
  "id": "R41257",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R41257",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 362403,
      "date": "2010-05-25",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T01:40:08.710420",
      "title": "A New United Nations Entity for Women: Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "In recent years, many in the international community have argued for elevating the status of women\u2019s issues within the United Nations (U.N.) system. They contend that the way in which the U.N. system addresses gender issues is fragmented, weak, and under-resourced. Moreover, they argue that such efforts lack clear leadership and coordination. These weaknesses, critics maintain, hinder the U.N. system\u2019s ability to promote and implement programs that enhance gender equality.\nIn September 2009, U.N. member states, including the United States, adopted a General Assembly resolution expressing strong support for the consolidation of four U.N. bodies addressing women\u2019s issues into one composite entity. The four entities selected for consolidation were (1) the U.N. Development Fund for Women, (2) the Division for the Advancement of Women, (3) the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, and (4) the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. According to the United Nations, voluntary and U.N. regular budget contributions for these four bodies in calendar year 2008 totaled approximately $247 million.\nAt this time, it is unclear how the new U.N. entity will be structured or whether it will prove effective in addressing global women\u2019s issues. U.N. member states are currently negotiating the structure, governance, and funding of the new entity. The timeline for the entity\u2019s establishment depends primarily on U.N. member states; many anticipate that the General Assembly could address the issue during its 64th session, which began in September 2009 and will end in September 2010.\nMembers of Congress have generally supported U.N. system efforts to address women\u2019s issues and may have an interest in the new entity. Areas of congressional focus could include (1) U.S. financial contributions to and participation in the new entity, (2) the role of the new entity in the context of U.S. foreign policy priorities, and (3) oversight of the efficiency and effectiveness of the entity.\nThis report discusses possible policy issues that may arise as the composite gender entity is established, including its funding mechanisms, the creation of an effective governance structure, the entity\u2019s possible impact on U.N. system in-country operational capacity, and the relationships and coordination between the entity and other U.N. system bodies. The report also discusses the entity in the context of broader U.N. reform efforts and examines the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Finally, it analyzes U.S. policy toward the new entity, including its possible role in U.S. foreign policy and the level and extent of U.S. financial contributions to existing U.N. system gender entities.\nThis report will be updated as events warrant.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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      "topics": []
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  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Affairs"
  ]
}