Outcome SRB_D_3.2

UN system is accountable to measure, monitor and drive progress towards the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The outcome was achieved. The UN system in Serbia significantly improved coordination and accountability for gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE) commitments in 2024. UN Women, leading the Gender Thematic Group (GTG), achieved all 16 action points in its annual work plan, exceeding minimum requirements on 11 of 15 gender equality indicators in the UNCT-SWAP Scorecard Report. Strong collaboration between GTG, UN agencies, and government partners fostered synergies and effective joint advocacy. Gender mainstreaming was integrated across UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) outcomes, with over half of outcome-level indicators measuring gender equality progress. Joint advocacy initiatives, such as social media campaigns marking International Women's Day and 16 Days of Activism, reached tens of thousands. A multi-year capacity building plan (2023-2025) was developed, and a Gender Equality Screening Tool created. UN Women's leadership ensured gender mainstreaming across joint work plans and contributed to key interagency reports and the national strategy for healthy aging. Serbia's improved UNCT GEM score showcases successful capacity building and coordination.

UN system is accountable to measure, monitor and drive progress towards the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

In 2025, under the UN Women leadership the Outcome targets are exceeded. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) has invested significant efforts in 2025 in institutionalizing gender equality and women's empowerment in all UNCT actions. In 2025, UN Women jointly with other UN Agencies developed the Common Country Analysis (CCA). The CCA for Serbia extensively addresses gender analysis and provides sex and age disaggregated data. The gender equality is included in all sections of the CCA, with the in-depth analysis in the area of human capital, education, economic transformation, and social protection. A dedicated section of CCA focuses on the position of women and the status of gender equality in the country. Furthermore, the CCA consistently identifies the root causes of gender inequality and discrimination, such as unpaid care work, patriarchal norms and stereotypes, violence against women, economic dependence, and gender segregation in poverty and economic inequalities, life expectancy, health outcomes, labor force participation, prevalence of gender-based violence, political participation, educational attainment, access to social protection services, and the economy. Finally, UNCT with UN Women support developed a targeted gender analysis of those further left behind specifically Roma women, internally displaced women and girls, women experiencing homelessness, girls, young and older women, women asylum seekers and migrants, LBT women, and women with disabilities. UN Women organized a focus group with women's organizations. UNCT under UN Women leadership mainstreamed gender equality in the UNSDCF Serbia 2026–2030 (CF) across all outcomes that explicitly includes gender equality language and commitments to women’s empowerment. Furthermore, the UNCT ensured that CF lists Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment among its five Guiding Principles, alongside LNOB, Human Rights, Sustainability, and Resilience. Gender equality is integrated as both a change pathway and pre-condition across all strategic priorities, including economic transformation, social protection, and governance. UNCT highlight gender equality across all outcomes and at the output level, out of a total of 16 output statements, 8 (50%) explicitly reference gender equality and women’s empowerment. UNCT Serbia is consistently advancing its accountability towards gender equality reflected through the UNCT System Wide Action Plan (UNCT-SWAP), with the implementation, monitoring, and reporting being meticulously coordinated by the UN Women Serbia. UNCT met or exceeded 12 out of 15 performance indicators (86.6 per cent), based on UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard Framework. In addition, UN Women spearheaded the implementation of the UN Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP), and engagement in CSW revitalization. Through longstanding engagement and unwavering commitment of UN Women, gender equality has become a high-level agenda item in more than 60% of the Head of Agencies (HoAs) meetings. The Resident Coordinator (RC) has demonstrated strong public advocacy for GEWE during the year, through speeches delivered at different events and high-level meetings. Under the guidance of the UN Women, the Gender Theme Group developed Gender Equality Profile to serve as a baseline for UN engagement on gender equality and women’s rights. UNCT under UN Women leadership supported the Government of Serbia to participate at CSW69 and provided technical and advisory support in reviewing the status of Beijing Platform commitments and support in advocacy efforts during CSW69. As a follow up to the CSW69, the Government of Serbia committed to actions under the Beijing+30, as shared in the Beijing+30 Dashboard, under the theme of the Freedom from Poverty. The Government of Serbia committed to establishing the Alimony Fund which should serve as a tool for increased social protection and financial security for single mothers. Finally, UNCT supported several joint programmes with strong components of gender equality and women’s rights. Under the Joint Programme “Ending violence, Empowering change”, UNCT is committed to combating gender-based discrimination and violence and ensuring that both women and men equally participate and contribute to all aspects of life. Under the Joint Programme Strengthening Equality & Rights, Bolstering Inclusive Action, UNCT is working on addressing the absence of inclusive policies and systems that cater to the rights and needs of women with disabilities, focusing on accountability, service delivery, and gender responsive budgeting.

UN system is accountable to measure, monitor and drive progress towards the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The outcome was achieved. Coordination, coherence and accountability of the UN system for commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) were advanced through UN Women’s advisory support to the United Nations Country Team (UNCT). The support included integrating a gender perspective in planning, monitoring, and reporting, programming, capacity building and leading the Gender Thematic Group (GTG). Serbia exceeded its target for gender financing which was set at 60% for 2022. With utilization of United Nations Country Team Gender Equality Markers (UNCT GEM) Serbia tracks financial allocations and expenditures according to their contribution to gender equality and women’s rights ranging from UNCT GEM 0 – (not expected to contribute to GEWE) to 3 – (GEWE being the principal objective of the Cooperation Framework sub output). Serbia now stands at 66% of Gender Equality Markers being 2 (GEWE being a significant sub output objective) and 3 (GEWE being principal objective) and 63% (57,9 USD million out of 91,8 million USD) of Cooperation Framework funding supporting SDG 5. The quality assurance of the process was provided by UN Women. The result is a major increase of 49% compared to initial UNCT GEM coding exercise when 17% of UNCT GEMs were 2 and 3, at the end of 2021 and Q1 of 2022. These outcomes confirm the investment in tailor-made capacity building for Result Groups, GTG and Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG) on gender integration in Joint Work Plans (JWPs), facilitated by UN Women ECARO, UN System Coordination Division and GEM Helpdesk in 2022 and 2021 yielded success. UNCT Serbia’s Annual System Wide Action Plan Gender Equality Scorecard Progress Report, showed the best country results so far. Out of 15 performance indicators, the country team is exceeding minimum requirements for nine and meeting minimum requirements for six indicators. UN Women coordinated the Inter Agency Team in charge of the reporting process. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Joint Work Plans are gender mainstreamed with enhanced integration of gender through the entire result chain. UNSDCF features an outcome dedicated to gender equality, human rights and rule of law. 52,17% outcome indicators measure gender equality and women empowerment. The Cooperation Framework Annual Review for the period 1 January - 30 September 2022 reflects main results, financial resources, and GTG-related efforts. UNCT Serbia became a trailblazer who will monitor 15 SDG based output level indicators from the global UNSDG Output Indicator Framework in Serbia Cooperation Framework, including the gender-related indicators. UN Women remains permanent Chair of GTG and is assisted by UNFPA/UNDP as Deputy Chairs on a yearly rotational basis. The GTG was expanded with the representatives of all signatories of the Cooperation Framework as per the new Gender Theme Group Standards and Procedures. The GTG Action Plan was fully implemented. UNCT GEMs allocation process and monitoring of allocations through UN Info, GTG Open Doors Platform with Women CSOs, GTG Gender Brief publication, capacity building exercises and Gender Equality & Human Rights Update were recognized globally and regionally as good practices. UN Women’s regular gender briefs shared at UNCT Meetings created a catalytic effect to keep all members up to date about the national and international GEWE Agenda and inform UN advocacy and programming. 246,771 persons were engaged and reached through joint UN event and social media campaign marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign raised awareness on violence against women and girls and promoted local feminist poets writing about GEWE and violence against women and girls. These efforts were implemented by UN Serbia GTG, spearheaded by GTG Deputy Chair (UNFPA), and UN Communications Group. 37 representatives of CSOs, gender experts and activists together with 35 UN Staff members gained important insights on priorities and needs regarding women and political participation and sexual and reproductive health of Roma women and girls at the GTG platform Open Doors. These valuable inputs informed UNCT strategies, programming, and advocacy. UN Women, in coordination with other UN agencies implemented and developed new joint UN projects. The Joint Project (JP) on violence against women and girls implemented by UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women is ongoing. UN Women with UNDP, UNFPA and UNESCO started implementing a regional project focused on youth funded by Peacebuilding Fund. Joint resource mobilization efforts of UNDP, OHCHR, UNICEF, ILO, UNFPA, and UN Women resulted in approval of the proposal and funding by UN Partnership for Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The inception phase of the joint project focusing on disability, with a strong gender component kicked off, spearheaded by UN Women. Another joint resource mobilization initiative by UNFPA and UN Women focusing on youth resulted in funding by Italian Government. In addition, two joint project concept notes were developed on food systems and human security with a strong focus on gender. Cooperation between GTG, Result Groups, Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG), Operations Management Team, Communication Group and Human Rights and Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Group was intensified through increased coordination, regular meetings and UN Women’s capacity building efforts. Bilateral and multilateral meetings between the representatives of the said groups were key to processes such as gender review of the Joint Work Plans, UN Gender Equality Markers (GEM), UNCT-System Wide Action Plan (SWAP) Annual Progress Reporting, Common Country Analysis update, Annual Results Report, Joint 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence event and campaign and creation of seven inter-agency knowledge products. This practice will be continued in the future. The Theory of Change is applicable since the UN system is accountable to measure, monitor and drive progress towards the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women as there is increased commitment throughout the UN system to advance gender equality and women empowerment.

UN system is accountable to measure, monitor and drive progress towards the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The outcome was achieved. The UN system demonstrates greater coordination, coherence and accountability for commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). This resulted from UN Women’s advisory support to the United Nations Country Team (UNCT). The support included integrating a gender perspective in planning, monitoring, and reporting, programming, capacity building and leading the Gender Thematic Group (GTG). All planned indicator targets were achieved. In its Annual UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Report, out of total 15 indicators, Serbia exceeded minimum requirements for 12 and met minimum requirements for 3 indicators. This is an improvement of three indicator compared to 2022an the best result thus far. The GTG completed all 16 action points from its Annual Work Plan. There were three GTG Meetings, an Annual GTG Retreat and several multi- and bilateral meetings between GTG Chair, Deputy Chair, RCO, MEG, OMT, Comms Group and HRLNOB Group, which were recognised as a good practice to coordinate joint work and create synergies. UN Serbia UNSDCF does not have a standalone Outcome on gender but an Outcome that targets gender equality: “All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments “. Apart from the gender-targeted Outcome, other outcomes are gender mainstreamed. Gender components are identified in the narrative, in the Theory of Change, for each Strategic Priority, and GEWE is integrated in all outcomes through outcome indicators and in the UNCT contribution section, with clear linkages to SDG5. Just over half (52.17%) of UNSDCF Outcome level indicators measure changes in gender equality and the empowerment of women in line with SDG targets including SDG 5. In early 2023 UNCT Serbia reported against five global indicators within SGD 5 (5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8). In 2022, JWPs as reported in the UNCT Annual Results Report, 36 out of 97 Output level indicators were gender sensitive, either measuring direct contributions to gender equality or having gender desegregations measuring GE intervention aspects. The mid-year UNSDCF Review (January-September 2023) reflects the gender results are on track according with Interim Review (January- September) narrative reporting since the Output level indicator targets will be assessed for the Annual Results Report in February 2024. The UNCT engaged in greater advocacy efforts, include joint markings of important dates for GEWE. For example, 45,000 individuals were reached through a joint social media campaign which outlined milestones for gender equality in Serbia and women’s views on gender equality, marking International Women’s Day conducted by UN Serbia GTG and Communications Group, spearheaded by UNDP. Additionally, 265,000 people received messages about GBV during a social media campaign marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls by UN Serbia GTG and Communications Group. Attendees at a joint event “Imagine Life without Violence“ focused on youth and GBV learned about regional research on social cohesion, gender equality and peacebuilding and engaged in a moderated discussion. The GTG and Communications group organized that event on 24 November in Belgrade, spearheaded by UNDP as Deputy GTG Chair. At a second joint event "Bridges of Hope: United in the fight against gender-based violence" high government officials, donors and international community discussed the needs of refugee women and girls. Organized on 27 November, in Novi Sad by UNHCR and RCO, the event featured joint cooking, musical performance and mural painting. UN agencies also organized other events targeting different communities, showcased in a detailed calendar of all UN agencies’ events for 16 DoA against GBV which was shared on social media. Lastly, UN staff took a group photo in front of UN House, traditionally supporting the Orange the World Campaign and sharing this year’s message “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls”. The GTG and other relevant UNCT mechanisms worked with an external consultant to develop a multi-year Capacity Building Plan (2023-2025) based on the UN Serbia gender equality capacity and learning needs assessment. The GTG also developed a Gender Equality Screening Tool for projects based on Albanian good practice. Fifteen (15) representatives of women’s civil society organizations and UN staff discussed women and climate change at the Open Doors event with WCSOs, gaining valuable insight for future advocacy and programming. Gender equality is visibly mainstreamed into six currently operational Joint Programmes and one pending joint project proposal. Out of six joint projects implemented, UN Women participated in four Joint Projects out of which it was lead for one on disability, during the reporting period. Gender equality is the principle focus of the Joint Project "Integrated Response to Violence against Women and Girls in Serbia III” which was allocated UNCT Gender Equality Marker 3, whereas other Joint Projects have gender as a significant objective and therefore UNCT Gender Equality Marker 2. In the reporting period UN Women ensured gender mainstreaming of the Cooperation Framework Joint Work Plans (JWPs) and provided inputs which better integrate gender perspective and inform advocacy and programming in various reports and surveys. The Office provided inputs for the JWPs update including indicators, sub output/project descriptions, budget, geolocation, UNCT-GEMs etc. The Office provided agency and GTG inputs for RCO-led processes such as the 2022 2CF Annual Results Report, 2023 Interim Report, partnerships survey, resource mobilization strategy, EU & UN Policy Dialogue and joint advocacy to the government, UNCT Plan of Action to Support Justice, Trust Building, Social Cohesion and Counter Hate Speech, etc. Contributions were made to 5 interagency products which involved gender analysis and data production which have and will inform future advocacy and programming: Common Country Analysis, two Gender Briefs, edited by UN Women, a Thematic Update on Corruption and on Mixed Migration. UN Women and GTG provided inputs for the National Strategy for Healthy and Active Aging spearheaded by UNFPA UNCT Serbia was showcased as a country with good practice on application of UNCT GEMs at the Global GTG Webinar. This was due to country’s improved UNCT GEM score that was a result of the capacity building endeavours and great coordination of Result Groups, Monitoring and Evaluation Group and Gender Thematic Gorup, spearheaded by UN Women. UN Women as Chair of GTG and the expert agency on gender coordinated and implemented all the above-mentioned gender related efforts.