UN Women Executive Board to hold its Annual Session from 17-19 June

United Nations, New York — During its Annual Session, from 17-19 June 2014, the Executive Board will discuss recommendations stemming from its 2014 Joint Field Visit to Panama and El Salvador along with the Executive Boards of UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF and WFP from 23 March – 1 April. It was the first time UN Women has led the yearly field visit. A report will be introduced by the President of the Executive Board, Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Koncke Pizzorno, who was the team leader of the official delegation.

“During the Joint Field Visit, I was very impressed by the Government of El Salvador’s efforts, in conjunction with civil society's and the UN system, to combat violence against women, which is endemic in the region,” said Ambassador Koncke Pizzorno. “In particular the Cuidad Mujer Project is an exemplary multisectoral approach at the community level, which ensures that the rights of women are protected and fulfilled.”

The Secretary of Social Inclusion of El Salvador, Vanda Pignato, will present to the Board the Ciudad Mujer Project, which is supported by UN Women and other UN partners. She will share success stories of the emblematic programme that aims to improve women’s public access to services such as health and legal advice, and seeks to address violence and discrimination against women throughout the country.

The Executive Board will also learn about the work of UN Women in Papua New Guinea and specifically its Safe City programme in Port Moresby, which is being implemented in markets. The project promotes the participation of women in these vital public spaces; bylaws in local markets now include articles which address women’s safety;  women vendors are returning to the markets following the first phase of physical and social infrastructure improvements; and a public awareness campaign on sexual harassment and sexual violence is underway.

To encourage Member States to show their commitment to UN Women, a pledging event will also be held at this session following the success of last year’s pledging event. The Executive Board will review an annual report on the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2011–2013 and give the Board with an opportunity apply lessons learned to the next Strategic Plan 2014-2017. It will equally review a “Corporate Joint Evaluation of Joint Programmes on Gender Equality in the United Nations system” which includes recommendations for improving coordination and effectiveness of the UN system’s efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The first day of the session will be webcast live, beginning with keynote speeches from Executive Board President Mr. Koncke Pizzorno and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.