Supporting women in leadership positions

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 suggests that women's groups should be involved in decision-making at the national and community levels, for example to identify health risks and incorporate health issues in national action programmes on women and development.

The Division for the Advancement of Women of the UN improves global monitoring of the participation of women in decision-making. INSTRAW develops training and information material to enhance women's participation in management and decision-making in both public and private sectors. Training aims at promoting an attitudinal change in planners and policy-makers in formulating, implementing and evaluating projects and programmes that favour equal opportunity and increase the participation of women, notably for development. ILO emphasizes participation of women in decisions concerning the future of enterprises in which they participate as workers. UNIFEM's participatory approach is characterized by support to women in decision-making. A number of UNFPA-supported projects provide women with the education and training they require to enhance their participation in managerial and supervisory tasks. UNHCR promotes the establishment of women's associations based on traditional structures.