Planned Budget (Total)
Other resources (non-core)
Country Indexes
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_D_2.3
More women have access to decent work and women’s entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises, networks and cooperatives are strengthened through financial and digital inclusion, green and circular economy alternatives in local and regional value chains
Through the Inclusive Financial Ecosystem (IFE) programme, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, UN Women has advocated for the inclusion of women’s financial inclusion and its measurement in public programs and policies in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Each country team has been working with central banks and regulators with technical support from the regional office. To guide advocacy processes, an analysis of regulatory frameworks has been developed for the three countries. One of the most important achievements in 2024 has been the incorporation of women’s financial inclusion as a pillar of the updated ENIF in Guatemala, thanks to UN Women’s advocacy and technical support during the formulation process. Additionally, the IFE programme team advocated for the inclusion of sex-disaggregated indicators and provided technical recommendations for their definition. This will enable the Central Bank and Superintendence of Banks to collect the necessary data to measure progress in women’s financial inclusion and promote targeted actions within the ecosystem. In El Salvador, technical support was provided to revise the "Roadmap for Women’s Financial Inclusion" of the National Council for Financial Inclusion and Education (CNIEF), and a workplan to support its implementation is under discussion. In Honduras, technical assistance was provided to the National Commission of Banks and Insurance (CNBS) and the national statistics institute to define a Household Survey Module on Financial Inclusion and improve the measurement of women’s access to and use of financial products and services. Additionally, efforts began in December 2024 to strengthen financial inclusion ecosystems in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador through collaboration mechanisms and the co-creation of tools aimed at promoting and providing technical assistance to enhance women’s financial health and economic opportunities. Initial sessions for these efforts are already underway, setting a solid foundation for achieving inclusive financial systems in the region. National institutions, local governments and civil society organization in Costa Rica have increased capacities and have made significant efforts to provide more gender transformative services and programs that contribute to women’s economic empowerment, financial and digital inclusion. For example, FIDEIMAS, a key program for the financial inclusion of businesswomen in poverty in Costa Rica, has strengthened capacities to provide services to support the income generation and sustainable livelihoods of businesswomen as a result of the search of a partner to undertake the management of the Hecho por Mujeres e-commerce platform, the support provided by UN Women to the annual Christmas Fair, and the technical support to include a gender perspective in institutional processes, including its value proposal, monitoring and evaluation system and the analysis of analysis of the scope of its services and barriers to access. With the organization of the Christmas Fair, 127 businesses of women and families living in poverty (119 led by women) were able to sell their products directly to consumers (sales reported exceeded US$20.000) and to position their businesses. In addition to incorporating a gender perspective in its value proposal and monitoring and evaluation system, FIDEIMAS has requested support in understanding the causes of the gender gap between loans approved for women-led compared to men-led businesses by financial institutions under their programme, which will help guide actions to close gender barriers in access. As a tool to increase income generating opportunities for businesswomen and women entrepreneurs in Costa Rica, UN Women has continued to support the sustainability and strengthening of the Hecho por Mujeres e-commerce platform. UN Women is working with a partner, the Fundación para la Sostenibilidad y la Equidad (ALIARSE), to implement actions to strengthen the platform, including a market strategy and the search for more businesswomen and a training process to generate capacities to use the platform and sell online, and is supporting the transition between FIDEIMAS and ALIARSE in the management of the platform. This new partner will allow more women sellers from diverse backgrounds, not only women in poverty – a restriction of FIDEIMAS, to sell on the platform, significantly increasing its reach. Furthermore, through the SDG Fund joint programme on SDG Localization and Digitalization, UN Women is strengthening the capacities of the Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory Services (IFAM), Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT), and the three local governments selected: Sarchí, Atenas and Palmares, to incorporate a gender perspective in their programs and services, making them more gender-transformative, and to create more spaces for women’s participation and economic and political empowerment. This includes increasing opportunities for the effective participation of women in communities in decision-making processes, the design and implementation of plans and policies, and innovations processes and strengthening their capacities, as well a strengthening leadership and technical capacities of women political authorities and staff of the three municipalities. For example, an intervention model and training program for women to be piloted in three Community Innovation Labs (LINCs), enabling spaces for the co-creation and incubation of productive ideas, including women-led businesses, and gender-sensitive solutions to community problems, is being developed with technical support of the joint programme. This will help strengthen the implementation of this initiative led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT) in coordination with local governments or regional branches of public universities by providing a gender-transformative implementation strategy that can be replicated in the other LINCs, scaling up the results of the joint programme.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_D_3.1
The United Nations System in Latin America and the Caribbean increased its capacity to advance a gender transformative perspective and include GEWE in its planning and programming
In 2024, the UN system in Latin America and the Caribbean increased its capacity to advance a gender transformative perspective and include GEWE in its planning and programming processes for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) results. This was achieved through the effective integration of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) considerations into inter-agency planning documents and processes across 21 LAC countries (13 Country Offices and 8 countries were UN Women has non physical presence (NPPs), highlighting Argentina, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Guatemala and Colombia, facilitated by quality assurance reviews and methodological support provided to UNW personnel and UN country teams. In the same way, enhanced gender mainstreaming in UNSDCF cycles was evident as Argentina and Uruguay Coordination teams improved their capabilities regarding Country Gender Equality Profiles with Regional Office support, and 97 participants from the UNCTs in Paraguay and Guatemala enhanced their capacities to develop gender-transformative CCAs and UNSDCFs through targeted training sessions. The implementation of the UNCT GEM tool was improved, with 233 participants from UNCTs and UN Women personnel enhancing their capacity to track UNCTs' investment in GEWE through two training sessions, and 81 UN personnel trained in gender marker application in Guatemala, Uruguay, and Peru. Capacity building for gender mainstreaming was further supported by training 164 interagency staff on integrating Human GEWE principles into UNSDCF processes, facilitating best practice exchanges within UN Women, and enhancing the capacity of 54 UN personnel to implement the UNCT-SWAP framework. Additionally, 161 UN personnel were equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the UNCT-SWAP reporting tool. Promotion of inclusivity was achieved by translating the UNCT GEM guidance and the UNCT SWAP guidance into Spanish, facilitating better understanding and implementation of gender mainstreaming practices in Spanish-speaking countries. On the other hand, human rights arguments to counter fundamentalist critiques, analyzed gender in six thematic transitions, and planned the dissemination of the Regional Gender Equality Profile (RGEP) were taking place in this year. Inputs for the argumentation framework were align with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. ACRO hosted a virtual session for 119 participants to present the RGEP, showcasing it as a critical resource for data-driven planning, programming, and gender equality advocacy across the region. Additionally, ACRO developed key messages to counter fundamentalist and conservative narratives, providing RCs and UNCTs with rights-based arguments to respond to critiques on gender equality, care systems, LGTBIQ+ rights, and comprehensive sexuality education. This tool empowers UNCTs to advocate for inclusive policies, share regional best practices, and tackle common barriers to gender equality. Finally, UN System Coordination work in countries where UN Women does not have a physical presence (NPPs) has achieved significant progress during 2024. In this regard in Venezuela, the UN System advanced gender equality through initiatives measured in the UNCT SWAP evaluation, including a gender parity plan developed with UNW and UNFPA support, involving 12 gender focal points across 10 UN agencies. In Panama, UN Women led advocacy activities for the 16 Days of Activism in 2024, positioning itself as a leader in gender advocacy with over 300 attendees. In Peru, UN Women integrated gender equality into interagency coordination mechanisms, co-leading the Gender, Human Rights, and Interculturality Group. In Costa Rica, UN Women played a key role in incorporating a gender perspective into the UNSDCF and maintaining the Gender Interagency Group. In Cuba, interagency processes facilitated by OCR and UN Women resulted in the implementation of the UNCT Work Plan and other gender priorities. In Paraguay, 24 focal points strengthened their capacities in PSEA, and 60 people were sensitized on gender-based violence, with the UN System demonstrating improvements in the UNCT SWAP report and preparing a Gender Country Profile.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_D_3.2
Latin America and the Caribbean Governments increased their capacity to advance a gender transformative perspective and implement gender equality international and regional norms and frameworks at the national and subnational levels
In 2024 the LAC Regional Office continued supporting LAC governments in increasing their capacities to advance a gender transformative perspective and implement gender equality international and regional norms and frameworks at the national and subnational levels. In this regard, 28 key normative, policy, peace, and humanitarian processes were influenced by civil society organizations dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment. The main processes are related to initiatives within the mandate of the ECOSOC, the CSW68, the CEDAW, the Regional Conference on Women of Latin America, the CRED, the COP16 of the CBD and several initiatives led by civil society organizations.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_D_3.3
Gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data, and knowledge are produced, analysed and used to inform countries´policies and norms and UN Women programming, advocacy and accountability for delivering gender equality and women´s empowerment results
In 2024, the gender data and statistics strategic support unit of the UN Women's Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean advance in the integration and use of gender statistics around the region. This initiative is essential for advancing gender equality in the region, included comprehensive technical and the creation of partnerships to integrate gender perspectives into statistical production and policymaking. The National Statistical Offices (NSO) share their experiences in gender mainstreaming, forming collaboration networks channeled by the Statistical Conference of the Americas (SCA) working groups, which have resulted in the creation of guides informed by the NSOs' experience and the creation of the toolbox. Since December 2024, the NSOs in the region have documents with guidelines, concepts and examples that allow the gender perspective to be mainstreamed in all phases of statistical production in a short version “Guidelines for mainstreaming the gender perspective in statistical production”, and long version “Hacia la transversalización de la perspectiva de género en la producción estadística en América Latina y el Caribe”. Also, in the framework of a SCA working group, during 2024 the NSOs shared close to 276 tools that are being systematized, to mainstream the gender perspective in all phases of statistical production. Finally, the others working groups of SCA have comments and recommendations were made on the mainstreaming of gender perspective in the following working groups, due to UN Women with ECLAC have been part of the Advisory Group for mainstreaming the Gender perspective in the SCA's working groups. The sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, whose priority theme was “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective” had a regional document as a reference, that analyses the progress on gender equality around the SDGs “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Regional Gender Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean: gender indicators up to 2023”. This report brought the ECLAC Gender Observatory website to its highest number of visits and downloads of the year. It also motivated the creation of country-level reports. Gender snapshots for Mexico and Uruguay are currently under review, and preparation is being planned for other countries. The gender data and statistics strategic support unit oversees the Women Count Regional Program, which seeks to change how gender statistics are used, created, and promoted. It emphasizes coordination and support for planned activities in the LAC region, with a specific focus on Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, MCO - UN Women, and Colombia. The program includes regional coordination and support for activities such as training, knowledge products, and the development of methodological tools on gender statistics. Women Count support the production of knowledge products of Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Caribbean, and regional level have developed knowledge products to enhance analysis on gender equality challenges. During 2024, a document was published from Uruguay, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and two from Argentina. And 4 products from Uruguay, another 2 from Argentina, 4 from Mexico, and 2 from the Caribbean began to be developed. All of these products respond to the needs and interests of countries and regions to quantify inequalities between men and women in the region, identify progress, or guide essential aspects of gender equality, supported by statistical evidence. The region will have countries that serve as examples in piloting the statistical framework for measuring femicide-feminicide. The piloting to the UNW Regional Offices (Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific, and Latin America), has been implemented by Global Centre of Excellence on Gender Statistics -CEGS-, in coordination with UNODC-INEGI Center of Excellence, and UNW RO for the Americas and the Caribbean. Ecuador and República Dominicana, following the pilot during 2024, have made progress in identifying good practices regarding the process of collecting information in administrative records. 270 data producers and users with strengthened capacities in the collection, analysis, dissemination and use of gender statistics. 26 women and 10 men from 9 government institutions in Dominican Republic have enhanced their skills in the production and use of gender indicator statistics. 121 people studied the "Higher Diploma in Measurement of gender-based violence against Women and feminicide - femicide." (with the support of ECLAC, CLACSO, UNDP, UN Women) in CLACSO; and 44 people received scholarships. 20 participants improved their skills in the analysis of forecasts methodologies, in two workshops that explain the methodology of the study of forecasting in June 2024, co-organized by CEGS, Mexico Country Office, and CLACSO. 11 participants from IBGE (the NSO of Brazil) and OBIG, were supported with the workshop to measure the SDG indicator 5.c.1 during April 2024 by UN Women HQ in coordination with RO. 32 participants from NSOs of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the working group "Tools for mainstreaming the gender perspective in statistical production processes" of the Statistical Conference of the Americas. Finally, UN Women (RO and Mexico), ECLAC, INEGI, and INMUJERES organized international events related to gender statistics. Professionals dedicated directly or indirectly to gender statistics actively participate in international events such as the International Meeting on Gender Statistics, where topics related to the advancement of women's rights, priority areas for UN Women, innovative methods, and the 2030 Agenda have been positioned.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_O_1
Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance
In 2024, ACRO demonstrated its commitment to organizational accountability and trustworthy practices through robust financial management and strengthened institutional frameworks across the LAC region. The ACRO principled performance saw comprehensive financial stewardship, achieving an 74% overall delivery rate with a 89% utilization rate by December 1st, 2024 across the region. Across funding streams, core funding reached 78% delivery with 90% utilization, progressing toward 100% target delivery, while non-core funding advanced to 72% delivery with 88% utilization, approaching the corporate requirement of 85%. A transformative shift in institutional performance continues to emerge through strengthened accountability mechanisms. The office addressed all its internal audit recommendations, and supported Mexico and Colombia in preparation to their internal audits. The financial performance was supported by systematic monthly financial monitoring and compliance reviews examining project delivery across funding streams, advance tracking, travel expense management, project closure, oversight of procurement actions and post facto's, as well as any outstanding actions on partner management. To address operational and programme implementation challenges, PSMU developed acceleration plans for larger CO's and projects, providing direct support and organizing dedicated learning sessions to strengthen PM capacity. The office's commitment to comprehensive accountability was demonstrated through exemplary compliance ratings: overall compliance reached 95.9%, with information security at 100% (only RO), Occupational Health and Safety at 96.6%, and full compliance in both Business Continuity Planning/Crisis Management arrangements and Security and Safety protocols for RO. The integration of Enterprise Risk Management principles into daily operations, strengthened organizational risk management frameworks. The ACRO team continues to show significant institutional performance improvement in its organizational accountability, achieving a 86% timely donor reporting rate or the RO and overall 85% compliance across the region. This reflects strengthened internal systems and partner coordination mechanisms, which were further enhanced following a thorough review mid-year by Operations, PSMU and Partnership Unit. The office's ability to maintain this high standard while managing complex cross-regional initiatives underscores its growing institutional maturity in transparent resource management and results documentation. Operational efficiency improved markedly through the increased use of Long-Term Agreements covering essential services including travel, events management, translation etc. The office completed more than 26 formal procurement processes using LTA's in 2024. These achievements, led and coordinated by the Operations Unit demonstrate UN Women's capability to manage resources with integrity while advancing its programmatic ambitions and meeting fiduciary obligations in service of LAC communities.Showing 6 - 10 of 14