A group of experts on gender equality has provided initial recommendations to the UN General Assembly president to help foster gender equality during the 75th UNGA session.

The Advisory Group on Gender Equality was appointed by UNGA President Volkan Bozkir in October 2020 and includes six members: Jukka Salovaara, President, UN Women Executive Board; Nahla Valji, Senior Gender Advisor to UN Secretary-General; Sanda Ojiambo, UN Global Compact Executive Director; Dubravka Simonovic, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women; Soon Young-Yoon, Principal Investigator for NGO Committee on the Status of Women; and Patricia Torsney, Inter-parliamentary Union Permanent Observer.

Experts suggested conducting a gender audit of the UNGA, in view of the serious lack of gender balance at the political level.

The first meeting took place on 19 November 2020, at UN headquarters in New York, US. According to a letter from the President following the meeting, Advisory Group members’ recommendations included that the President:

• Leverage the Group’s relationships with the private sector to advance women’s economic empowerment;
• Support engagement in UN processes by civil society, including grassroots women’s organizations;
• Pay close attention to the participation of women, including young women, in panels and events; and
• Consider conducting a gender analysis or audit of the UNGA and its functioning, in view of the serious lack of gender balance at the political level; and
• Use the technical expertise of UN Women.

It was also suggested that the President ensure the group can have a “long-term and structural impact,” allowing him to leave a legacy for the use of future Presidents. [Letter from UNGA President]