Region:Asia PacificCurrent UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low IncomeThe World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.Least Developed Country:YesSince 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.Gender Inequality Index:0.575GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.Gender Development Index:0.723GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 RevisionMale:19,976,265 (9.5%)Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
Gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data and knowledge are produced, analyzed and used to inform policymaking, advocacy and accountability for delivering gender equality and women's empowerment results in West and Central Africa Region (SP Outcome 6)
Awareness about the importance of gender statistics is undoubtedly steadily increasing in countries and among partners, given the growing demand for information, guidance and technical support. However, it should be noted that this request for support sometimes arrives very late (at the time of analysis or reporting) and that it is difficult for the regional office to ensure a good technical review.
Global normative frameworks, laws, policies and institutions in West and Central Africa Region are more gender responsive (SP Outcome 1)
Thirty-two [1] African Women’s Leadership Network (AWLN) chapters were launched in ESA and WCA regions to galvanize women’s leadership of Africa towards lasting peace and sustainable development in all sectors and at all levels, building on, and working with, existing women networks with the support of the AU and UN. The Network builds on African women’s leadership to increase women’s participation in decision-making through peer learning and mentoring, enhanced solidarity, advocacy, and capacity-building among other strategies
[1] DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Congo Brazzaville, Seychelles, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Liberia, Cameroon, Benin, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Niger, Kenya, Namibia, Tunisia, Gabon, Lesotho, Sao Tome, South Africa, Zambia, Angola, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Rwanda, and Gambia.
UN System in West and Central African Region effectively, coherently and systematically contributes to progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (SP Outcome 7)
Mayor achievements marked 2023 in Coordination. The elaboration of the WCAR Coordination Strategy is a key milestone to clarify the menu of services of UNW on Coordination in the region and to enhave partnerships and opportunities for joint interentions and mobilization of resources with regional economic commissions, IFIs, regional and continental bodies and platforms and CSOs. Support to 7 UNSDCF rolled out in 2023 was made and GEWE was mainstream in all of them. WCAR as Peer Support Group Member supported 7 prioritization exercises with DCO, trained more than 300 RCO GTG staff and governement official on programmatic principles, and supported the elaboration of Theories of change and results framworks in all 7 countries that elaborated UNSDCFs/CCA this year. 2 new comprehensive UNCT SWAP reports are available (Togo and CAR) and 14 Countries presented annual reports on the UNCT SWAP gender Score Card in 2023. WCARO elaborated the compedium of Best practices on Coordination integrating examples of RCOs and GTGs in advancing GEWE mandate. RO elaborated the report of the Africa Wide training of GTGs including participation of more than 60 staff from RCOs in the region with DCO, ESAR and UN Coordination Division. Support has been provided to advance norative agenda through the AU Africn Prconsultation of the CSW 68 with the outcome documen tin Englsh, French and Portuguese as main result. Coordinatin of other intergovernamental processis is provided such as Beijing Plus 30 with ECCAS and OIBCs, and HLPF. WCARO has supported more than 6 GTG retreats in the region including Mali, DRC, Equaptorial Guinea, Liberia, Sao tomé and Principe, and contributed to the Operationalizaiton of GTGs in Mali, Sao Tomé and Principe and Equatorial Guinea.
A comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is strengthened and translated into gender-responsive laws, policies, and institutions in West and Central Africa Region.
In the reporting period, UN Women WCA has supported Country office to improve the integration of gender equality in laws including in areas of areas of affirmative procurement, migration policy, unpaid care and climate policy.
More women and girls in West and Central Africa have equitable access to high quality public goods, services, jobs, and resources that are responsive to their needs.
The RO supported the Senegal National Health Insurance Agency (CMU) to adapt services and delivery mechanisms to the needs of female farmers. As a result, , 1000 rural women have enrolled in the national health insurance, and have access to health insurance for the first time, with coverage extending to their family members (circa 7000 people).
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References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).