UN-Women

UN Women – a successful reform with regard to the issue of gender equality within the United Nations or another missed opportunity? An initial assessment after seven years shows where initial successes could be achieved and which challenges will perhaps fatally contribute to the failure of the new institutions for women’s rights and gender equality. This work takes a look back into the institutional and political history of the United Nations to help the reader understand which innovations were introduced into the United Nations’ system by the founding of UN Women, in order to shed light on the development of women’s rights since the founding of the UN. Furthermore, it analyses in detail the existing failings of international law with regard to the rights and protection of women. Finally, the author gives a concrete assessment of the institutional, political and legal progress and the existing shortcomings in this respect as well as her own recommendations for action.