How we work

UN Women acts on two fronts. It supports international political negotiations to formulate globally agreed standards for gender equality. And it helps UN Member States to implement those standards by providing expertise and financial support. UN Women also assists other parts of the UN system in their efforts to advance gender equality across a broad spectrum of issues related to human rights and human development.

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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
In 2015, countries agreed on the need for comprehensive financing for development, adopted a new sustainable development agenda, and charted a universal and legally binding global agreement on climate change. Concluding a negotiating process that spanned more than two years and featured the unprecedented participation of civil society, on 2 August 2015, governments united behind an ambitious agenda that features 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets  to be achieved by 2030.
young women in Guatemala use a computer. Photo: UN Trust Fund/Phil Borges
Innovation and technology
Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities to break trends and reach those who are the most likely to be left behind. This is why UN Women has prioritized innovation technology as one of the “drivers of change” within its new draft Strategic Plan, 2018 – 2021.
Intergovernmental support
In intergovernmental forums at the United Nations, Member States come together to debate and seek agreement on global gender equality norms and standards.
UN system coordination
When different parts of the multilateral system act together, they can deliver greater results—and maximize the use of scarce resources. Within the UN system, UN Women is mandated to lead, promote and coordinate efforts to advance the full realization of women’s rights and opportunities.
From 24 to 27 October 2016, in the sidelines of the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, UN Women, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, and the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) convened 29 UN Volunteers working in con
Gender parity in the United Nations
As a standard-setting organization, the United Nations has a particular responsibility to lead by example in ensuring the equal and active participation of women at all levels of the UN system. This is also necessary for integrating a gendered perspective into UN policies and programmes.
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Training for gender equality and women's empowerment
Training for gender equality and women’s empowerment is an essential component for UN Women’s commitment to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. The UN Women Training Centre provides high-quality courses, programmes and resources on key issues related to UN Women’s priorities as well as emerging topics.
Photo: World Bank/Nugroho Nurdikiawan Sunjoyo
Research and data
Cutting-edge policy research, innovative new ideas and robust evidence are critical ways in which UN Women leads the charge in building knowledge on gender equality and women’s empowerment.