The UN Inter Agency Working Group on Gender & Development (UN IAWG-G&D) was set up in December 1994 under the leadership of UNIFEM and UNICEF with the aim to address gender concerns through a common framework recognising gender as a cross cutting theme. Its main interventions in the new millennium has been towards enhancing policy changes to promote equal opportunities for strengthening women’s decision-making capabilities.

Promoting human rights primarily focussing on the rights of women and girls in India and advocating effective mainstreaming of gender issues into programmes and policies of the country has been the driving force for instituting this group.

• To integrate Gender concerns more holistically and systematically into the work of UN Agencies
• To promote sex-disaggregated data base and monitoring systems
• To explore opportunities for collective UN System action and advocacy

The Group comprises of seventeen UN Agencies (UNDP, ILO, ILO SAAT, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO (SEARO & India Country Office), UNIC, UNHCR, UNDCP, World Bank, WFP, UNAIDS, FAO, UN APCTT, UNIFEM, UNICEF, IFAD and UNCTAD) working in close collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, Planning Commission, and other Departments of the Government of India like the Registrar General of India (RGI), Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), etc., for particular joint ventures.

The Group has three "Sub-Working Groups" to support its mandate.

• Sex-Disaggregated Data Click for more information
• Tenth Five Year Plan Click for more information
• Task Force on Prevention of Pre-birth Elimination of Females (PBEF) Click for more information

In congruence with the international theme of Afghan Women: Opportunities & Responsibilities, Women for Peace and Development was chosen as the theme for this year's International Women's Day celebrations jointly organised by the IAWG - Gender & Development.  Click for more