Counselor Helen Beck at the Solomon Islands Embassy in New York is the country’s representative on the Board.
The UN Women is headed by Michelle Bachelet, former Chilean president. The UN Gender Entity was established in 2010, bringing together four previously distinct gender agencies of the UN systems.
They are the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).
The executive board’s role is to oversee the organisation’s operational activities based on policy directions set by the UN General Assembly, ECOSO and the Commission on the status of women.
The executive boards also work with other UN agencies to coordinate gender issues across the UN system.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Joy Kere confirmed Solomon Islands representative to UN Women’s board will begin term next month.
Mrs Kere said being in the UN Women Executive Board offers a unique opportunity to contribute and shape an effective global mechanism to meet Solomon Islands and its neighbour’s gender challenges.
“Solomon Islands is honoured to be in the board at a period when the UN Women is currently undergoing a transitional phase in strengthening its reach to member states,” Mrs Kere said
Last month, Solomon Islands Mission in New York attended the UN Women Executive Board Meeting as an observer. The meeting was to elect UN Women Executive Board Bureau.
Mrs Kere said this was part of its preparatory work in taking on its gender global responsibilities beginning next month.
“In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be working with the Ministry of Women Youth Children and family Affairs (MWYCFA) and the national gender machinery in carrying out its responsibility, the national gender machinery includes the SI National Council of Women.
“The MWYCFA will also be required to be represented at various meetings, including regional meetings.”
By Trixie Carter
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