Region:Asia Pacific
Current UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The 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:Yes
Since 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:0.575
GII 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:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_O_1
Enhanced coordination, coherence and accountability of the UN system for commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment
UN Women’s Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ACRO) made strong progress on this result in 2022. UN Women has been actively engaged on the regional stream of the UN reform: leading the Regional Gender Theme Group (GTG), co-leading the Issue-Based Coalition (IBC) on Crime and Violence and the Working Group on Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) Data, engaging in the other IBCs and technical interagency groups, participating in the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) meetings, and having an active role as a member of the Peer Support Group (PSG) for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Focusing on the need to mainstream gender in Common Country Analyses (CCA), United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCFs) and other United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) processes lead by the Resident Coordinators in the region, as well as the gender-responsive implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Regional GIG, led by UN Women, strengthened the capacities of national Gender Theme Groups to “provide(s) strategic support and advice to United Nations country teams in enhancing their gender mainstreaming efforts ”, in line with the Regional GTG Work Plan and the ECOSOC resolution (E/2019/L.10). This initiative consisted in the organization of two webinars to rollout the new Gender Thematic Group Standards and Procedures (GTG S&P), promulgated this year by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The main objectives of these webinars were to reinforce the knowledge and understanding of the Gender Theme Groups, the definition of common objectives, priorities and challenges in the region, and the creation of a network to exchange experiences and lessons learned. A total of 21 GTGs were engaged in this exercise, including gender focal points from most of the AFPs in the UN System, as well as representation of the Resident Coordination Offices. This initiative highlights the role of the Regional GIG as a key actor for leading, promoting and coordinating efforts to mainstream gender within the UN System and advance the full realization of women’s rights and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Additionally, the joint regional advocacy on gender equality and women’s empowerment was strengthened by providing inputs for communication and advocacy campaigns on emblematic dates such as the International Women’s Day (March 8) and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (From November 25 to December 10). The main objective was the positioning of joint UN System messages for advocacy and awareness-raising on gender equality and women's empowerment, and especially on the eradication of violence against women. All the agencies belonging to the Regional GTG participated in this initiative, and the materials were shared on the social networks of each of these Agencies, Funds and Programmes (AFPs). Furthermore, gender mainstreaming was leveraged in the CCAs and UNSDCFs in the region. More than 330 UN staff and government officials from Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, and Cuba increased their understanding and knowledge on gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE). A total of 6 capacity development trainings were held by the Regional Office including topics such as gender mainstreaming in the UNSDCF, the application of the UNCT Gender Marker (UNCT GEM) and gender-responsive Monitoring and Evaluation. This resulted in GEWE being integrated into several of the region's UNSDCF inter-agency cycles. These results have been achieved not only because of the strategic positioning and active collaboration of UN Women as part of the regional PSG (Peer Support Group) and the capacity building, but also through bilateral collaboration and technical assistance to country offices. This work will be sustained through 2023, centering the efforts in the development of UNCTs’ capacities to design, develop and formulate a strategic, demand-driven, integrated, and transformative UNSDCFs, aligned with the UN Reform and national implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs. Where UN Women is an NRA, ACRO continued supporting and providing technical assistance in Paraguay, Peru and Cuba. In this area, it is worth mentioning that after a law proposal decreeing a change in the name of the Peruvian “Ministry of Woman and Vulnerable Populations” to “Ministry of the Family and Vulnerable Populations” the agencies, funds and programs of the UNS in Peru agreed to publicize a common message that expressed concern on the setback that this transformation would imply. This was done with the leadership of the RC and in close coordination with UN Women who provided the inputs for this pronouncement. The UNS considered publicly that eliminating the reference to women and replacing it with family would reinforce the exclusive appreciation of women for their reproductive role, making invisible the persistent discrimination and structural inequality against Peruvian women and girls. The coordination mandate was also strengthened and positioned in those countries where there is no physical presence (NRAs): Paraguay, Peru, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Cuba. In addition to the work carried out through the Regional PSG, ACRO has been leveraging gender equality in the UN System through its participation in these UNCTs. As a result, UN Women signed the new UNSDCF in Venezuela and became part of the country team configuration. In Cuba, the capacities were strengthened to ensure that GEWE is integrated into the joint work of the UNCT, including the findings of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard and the priorities of its Action Plan. Also, the public understanding of the importance of GEWE for the achievement of the SDGs, in particular SDG 5 was strengthened. These results were achieved in the framework of an UN to UN Agreement signed with the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Cuba, which was extended for another year, thus strengthening the close and long-standing relationship with the RCO in the country. Finally, thanks to the efforts and collaboration of UN Women, progress in gender equality was analyzed for Venezuela using the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Assessment methodology. A work plan was collaboratively developed, engaging the different UN entities with a presence in Venezuela.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_O_2
High-end thematic advisory services and technical assistance to country teams are delivered for more effective programmes
During 2022, ACRO has been actively engaged in oversight and quality assurance to country teams to ensure delivery of more effective programmes. ACRO has prioritized having key standardized programme approaches in order to guarantee high-end thematic advisory services and technical assistance to country teams (please see document attached). For this purpose, ACRO has provided support to Country Offices through the following advisory services and technical assistance: Networking approach: Mutual support arrangements across the region on ad hoc basis and collaboration through operational and programmatic Task Teams and CoPs through Teams and other channels Innovations: Jointly identify new trends and possible innovations to scale up results using design thinking and behavioral science tools. Programmatic advice and support: Programmatic advice and support, including high-level retainer contracts for advisors to standardize regional work on care, GBV, EVAW, WPSH Operational support: Support in operations, oversight, project cycle management and CM In-house training: Implement in-house training series for COs (needs-based) Coordination: Share information and lessons learned from UN Reform and work with UNCTs and partners at country level, accompaniment to negotiations with RCs and high-level partners Coach and mediation: Coach and mediate in sensitive situations or emerging conflicts related to projects, partners, and people management RM: Technical support in development of proposals and project design (national and multi-country), share good practices, first approach by ACRO with regional institutions to facilitate relations at the CO level and promote cross-fertilization in the region Normative support: Technical support and advisory services for the implementation of global and regional normative frameworks including those related to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, CSW, CEDAW, UNSCR1325 and relevant regional and national frameworks. As well as the development of the UPRs.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_O_3
Improved management of financial and human resources in pursuit of results
Strategic and effective use of financial reports shared on an monthly basis with all project managers to monitor the financial situation of their projects and make timely corrections as needed to achieve results. Effective implementation of finance and procurement users’ network to support programme implementation and provide opportunities for professional growth and new experiences across the region. Though utilization of the afore mentioned networks, prepare for Quantum implementation through clean up, testing, front loading of activities. Provided all necessary resources to personnel to continue operating with high efficiency with the tele-working arrangements.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-LAC_O_4
Increased engagement of partners in support of UN-Women’s mandate
As part of our resource mobilization and partnership building strategies, the Regional Office launched new media and private sector partnerships, With Prisa,MTV and Disney . Disney's partnership allowed UN Women to disseminate the messages of CSW66 through the NatGeo LATAM Channel. UN Women also received the certification as delivery partner by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its Readiness Program. This ACRO-led process allows all UN Women offices to apply as delivery partner jointly with National Accredited entities to the GCF - Readiness program. Two LAC projects (Uruguay and Guatemala) were selected this year . Another highlight is the mobilization of $5,250,000 for the Originarias programme focused on indigenous women in Chile and the opening of about 10 conversations with different private sector potential partner s in which we agreed a concept note or proposal Development . Different industry sectors were addressed, like medical and beauty care, health supplies for women, IT, Private transport, Telecommunications, among others. Topics in conversations are mostly around Digital inclusion and economic empowerment , STEM, Violence prevention and Climate change .Showing 6 - 9 of 9
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References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).