THE GOAL OF GENDER BALANCE: EFFORTS TARGET HIGHER REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN PROFESSIONALS

摘要

Women in the United Nations system is a subject rising on the agendas of many UN bodies. Gender issues were raised to the highest level in October 2000, when, for the first time in UN history, a Special Session of the Security Council "Women, Peace and Security" took place. In Security Council Resolution S/RES/1325(2000), the important role of women both in the prevention of conflict and their role at the decision-making level was reaffirmed. Among the variety of issues relating to women and their empowerment is the participation of women in the decision-making process, an area long defined and dominated by men. The equal participation of women in decision-making is the bottom line for equal opportunities. To meet this demand, the General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/ 55/69) which states: The General Assembly reaffirms the urgent goal of achieving 50/50 gender distribution in all categories of posts within the UN system, especially at senior and decision-making levels, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution, in conformity with Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, and also taking into account the continuing lack of representation or under-repre-sentation of women from certain countries, in particular developing countries and countries with economies in transition.