Status of Women in Africa Home Credits

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About ACW

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wpeD.jpg (691 bytes) Background

 

wpeD.jpg (691 bytes) ACW objectives for the period 2000-2005

 

wpeD.jpg (691 bytes)  Noteworthy Achievements

 

wpeD.jpg (691 bytes)  Recent ACW Publications

 

 

 

wpeD.jpg (691 bytes) Background

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is the regional arm of the United Nations, mandated to support the economic and social development of its 53 Member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Established in 1958 and based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it reports directly to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning, and convenes a number of inter-governmental sectoral meetings. The African Centre for Women (ACW) has a status of division within ECA and is attached to the Cabinet of the Executive Secretary.

Established in 1975, ACW is the regional structure that promotes and coordinates action related to gender equality and the advancement of women. The Centre services national, regional and sub-regional structures involved in the advancement of women. Within ECA’s strategy, there is a new and greater emphasis on gender issues as cross-cutting concerns in the priority areas of focus which are:

  • Economic and Social Policy Analysis

  • Development management

  • Food Security and Sustainable Development

  • Information for Development

  • Regional Cooperation and Integration

In the past 20 years since the First World Conference on Women in 1975, the African Centre for Women, has contributed to improving the knowledge base on African women’s issues through training, research, raising awareness at policy level, and disseminating information. In Member States, it has facilitated the creation of offices and branches of government that advance the role and status of women in Africa. Over the years ACW has worked closely with national machineries to strengthen the efforts of member States in implementing and monitoring the recommendations of international conferences on women. During the past two years, the Centre has undergone a process of reassessing its strategic focus to maximize its continent-wide impact, while implementing its new mandate of mainstreaming gender in the work of the Commission.

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