Which countries have UN Women national committees?

United Nations Women, or The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, is an important body in the United Nations for the advancement of the rights of women and girls as person.

Its current Executive Director is Ms. Sima Bahous, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships is Ms. Kirsi Madi, and Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support is Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda.

Formerly, it was headed by executive directors Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (2013–2021) and Michelle Bachelet (2010–2013). Functionally, or on paper, UN Women was established through UN General Assembly resolution 64/289.

It’s an important organization devoted to a salient topic, even in many advanced industrial economies with more egalitarian societal structures. It’s a global organization since it’s based out of the United Nations.

Yet, it raises some core issues. What about the national committees? Its extension in some countries that allow it to exist in the first place. You can check the UN Women national committee website.

The following countries currently have recognized national committees for UN Women: Australia, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

They function as “independent non-profit, non-governmental organizations that support the mission of UN Women by conducting fundraising activities (individual giving, corporate giving, foundations) to support UN Women programmes worldwide, raising ​public awareness and advocacy initiatives on UN Women and global women’s issues, as well as supporting UN Women’s relations with the Government.”

My own country, Canada, used to have one, but that was dissolved into a foundation and then delisted as far as I know, according to the current presentation of 12 Member States on its website. Being in some of these areas for a few years, it can be interpersonal feuds leading to detachments of organizations. But you never know; it’s not that people disagree on values, but that they are disagreeable with one another.

Regardless, I wish to see more national committees per country listed. In addition, I hope another organization, set of organizations, or some coalition, comes forward to fill the gap left by the vacancy for the UN Women listed organizations in Canada. Women’s and girls’ rights need to be protected and advanced, not only through UN Women and the UN, but everywhere for a more fair and just world.