In 2017, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need to revitalize the way the UN works, with a pledge to improve gender parity system-wide. Across the UN, the extent of the gender parity challenge differs. Operations in the field, particularly in conflict-affected settings, are areas where the under-representation of women remains a stark challenge. UNOPS operations, in particular in conflict-affected countries, also clearly show that women are under-represented.

“In a world beset by humanitarian challenges, now more than ever, we need a strong commitment to empowering women and girls in our societies. There is much to be done, but we hold ourselves accountable to high standards” said Grete Faremo, UNOPS Executive Director. 

UNOPS organization-wide gender parity strategy has three goals.

• To meet the targets set by the Secretary-General’s UN System-Wide Strategy on Gender Parity.
• To achieve the equal representation of men and women across our workforce, irrespective of levels – by 2020.
• To increase the representation of women at senior and decision-making levels as per the criteria of the UN System-Wide Strategy, while also applying them to those who work with us as consultants and contractors.

“As part of our efforts to be a more sustainable organization, and to better represent the people we serve, this strategy outlines our commitment to ensure women, at all levels, see a future for themselves at UNOPS. I firmly believe our gender parity strategy will improve our contributions to the implementation of Agenda 2030”, Ms Faremo added.

You can find the UNOPS Gender Parity Strategy here.