About the Division

About us

Mission Statement

Grounded in the vision of equality of the United Nations Charter, the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) advocates the improvement of the status of women of the world, and the achievement of their equality with men –as equal actors, partners, and beneficiaries of sustainable development, human rights, peace and security. Together with Governments, other entities of the United Nations system, and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, DAW actively works to advance the global agenda on women's rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women, and ensure that women’s voices are heard in international policy arenas.

Main responsibilities

  • To support formulation of policy, global standards and norms on gender equality and women’s empowerment at global level, including through analysis and research;
  • To promote, support and monitor the implementation of international agreements on gender equality and empowerment of women, including the Beijing Platform for Action, at international and national levels;
  • To support the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol;
  • To promote the mainstreaming of gender perspectives across all sectors, both within and outside the United Nations system;

Key areas of activities