PROGRESS IN A PANDEMIC: TOWARD FEMINIST LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS

A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year from the Feminist U.N. Campaign A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 3

INTRODUCTION

OVERALL REPORT CARD GRADES FROM 2017-2020 For gender equality and for the United began as the Commission on the Status Nations, 2020 was supposed to be a year of Women (CSW) was set to convene, it A+ of celebration and reflection. The United became clear: for the United Nations and Nations would celebrate its 75th year. UN its leadership, 2020 was hardly the year th A Women would commemorate its 10 year. for global celebrations of progress and Women’s rights activists would mark the commitments to increased ambition. The th A- 25 anniversary of the Beijing Declaration milestones we had looked forward to and Platform for Action. U.N. Security were delayed, canceled or considerably B+ Council Resolution 1325 on Women, scaled down. Peace and Security would look back on 20 This involved a resetting of expectations B years. And with 10 more years to realize B the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for for gender equality advocates who had campaigned with increasing fervor over B- Sustainable Development, 2020 presented B- B- an opportunity to call for increased action recent years and had aligned around the key moments and anniversaries of 2020 C+ and more urgent implementation where C+ progress was lagging. with tremendous anticipation, and with a long list of demands of the Secretary- C But 2020 took us by surprise. The onset of General himself and the U.N. system, writ large. C- a global pandemic exacerbated inequality, shattering any sense of normalcy and placing life’s most ordinary pleasures out Four years ago, as the United Nations of reach. The world in 2020 was flipped prepared to pick a new leader, member 2017 2018 2019 2020 upside-down, nearly unrecognizable— states and women’s rights advocates alike and the effects on women and girls were were clamoring for female and feminist particularly harmful. leadership at the United Nations. It was in this context that the International As UN Women reports, “The impacts Center for Research on Women (ICRW) of crises are never gender neutral, and convened a group of feminist thinkers, COVID-19 is no exception. While men Written by Spogmay Ahmed and Lyric Thompson of the International Center for reportedly have a higher fatality rate, Research on Women on behalf of the Feminist U.N. Campaign. women and girls are especially hurt by the resulting economic and social Special thanks go to Daphne Ho, Gisselle Flores, Joe Shaffner, Lindsay Bigda and Tanya fallout. Impacts on women and girls Khokhar for their invaluable contributions, report reviewers Dragica Mikavica, Sahar have worsened across the board.”1 The Moazami and Sarah Gammage, as well as all those who took part in key informant COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated violence interviews and the global civil society survey. against women; a loss of earnings, livelihoods and educational opportunity; Recommended citation: the burdens of unpaid care and domestic Ahmed, S. and Thompson, L. (2021). Progress in a Pandemic: Toward Feminist Leadership work; and lack of access to sexual and in a Time of Crisis. Washington D.C., International Center for Research on Women. reproductive health services.2

© 2021 International Center for Research on Women As the crisis unfolded and lockdowns Pixabay 4 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 5

advocates and U.N. experts to imagine a based harassment in the U.N. system. severe funding shortfalls and backlash Cancillería Argentina/Flickr Pixabay transformative and progressive agenda But he lagged behind in fostering on initial efforts.”8 for women’s human rights and gender greater freedom of information, equality in the U.N. system, anticipating ensuring feminist implementation of the And what of 2020? How to assess progress it might have its first female Secretary- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a most extraordinary year? Is it fair to General (SG). and transforming key gender equality evaluate against the same criteria when, institutions and convenings—like UN for instance, one of our scored criteria is The General Assembly ultimately Women and the Commission on the Status strong leadership at the Commission on appointed António Guterres, who, while of Women (CSW)—into stronger, more the Status of Women (CSW), which was not a woman, proclaimed himself “a proud inclusive bodies and resources within the largely suspended?9 feminist.” This and other statements by the wider U.N. system.6 SG indicated that he had potential to be a In truth, we considered punting to 2021 champion for feminist reforms throughout Following his second year, in 2018, and electing not to publish the annual the system, and so the Feminist U.N. Guterres again scored highly in promoting scorecard. But, ultimately, we decided that Campaign was born. gender parity and prioritizing the in a year that threatens to reverse decades elimination of violence, discrimination of progress on gender equality, this is no In 2016, the Campaign released its and abuse in the U.N. system, particularly time to let leaders off the hook on these flagship report,Toward a More Feminist in the wake of the #MeToo and issues. Rather, we must press our case brief on gender, the first in a series of United Nations, delineating an agenda #AidToo movements. The Campaign ever more urgently. thematic briefs on the crisis. Perhaps most for then incoming Secretary-General noted improvements in the Secretary- importantly, he also integrated a gender Guterres.3 The Campaign adapted these General’s efforts to advance feminist So we shall. marker in the U.N.’s COVID-19 Response recommendations into an initial 100- implementation of the SDGs and promote and Recovery Fund, making program day framework, as well as actions the greater freedom of information. However, For 2020, the Feminist U.N. Campaign funding in its second call for proposals Secretary-General could implement over progress still lagged. Most notably, gender once again measures to what extent the contingent upon support for gender the course of his five-year term. These equality initiatives and actors remained Secretary-General advanced progress equality and women’s empowerment. include six key points: (1) articulate and vastly underfunded.7 on our proposals for a more gender- implement a feminist leadership agenda, equitable world and U.N. system, even (2) ensure feminist implementation In 2019, the Campaign noted “a year Indeed, despite a year in which progress could and especially in the midst of a most and accountability for the Sustainable of incremental progress” with “no turbulent year. We revisit our six priority have easily stalled or been reversed, Guterres’s Development Goals (SDGs), (3) finance measurable increase or decrease” recommendations, assessing progress and for gender equality, (4) utilize feminist compared to the previous year. While scores actually increased overall and in three setbacks in each area. leadership through parity and rights his public messaging on gender equality of the six areas on our agenda, resulting in a B protections, (5) enable a feminist substantially increased in frequency, overall—his highest grade in the past four years, transformation for the Commission on the Secretary-General turned much of Overall, we find that Secretary- although still offering room for improvement. the Status of Women (CSW) and UN his attention to internal processes and General Guterres responded Women, and (6) promote the freedom outcomes. Those included continued of information in the U.N. system.4 Each focus on gender parity, the High-Level to the exigence at hand, both Specifically: the SG’s scores increased year following, the Campaign has issued Task Force on Financing for Gender recognizing and prioritizing over last year in the areas of feminist a report card grading the Secretary- Equality and preparations for 2020 as a leadership and agenda-setting, reflecting General’s progress against this agenda. key anniversary year for both the U.N. the gendered effects of the his leadership for gender equality in both system and women’s rights globally. COVID-19 pandemic. diplomatic and funding responses to the Following a strong rhetorical performance However, as we reported in 2019, “the pandemic; feminist implementation for in his first 100 days,5 the SG has struggled choice to focus on internal processes He regularly cautioned against increased the SDGs, where he did a better job of to secure the kind of transformation to ‘get our own house in order’ resulted levels of violence against women—calling clearly linking the SDGs to the women’s imagined in the 2016 agenda. Following in an understandable perception by for peace worldwide and “at home”— human rights agenda and called out Guterres’s first year in office, he scored observers inside and outside of the U.N. incorporated a gendered analysis in his Goal 5 and targets such as sexual and highly in his efforts to achieve gender of decreased momentum on the overall policy recommendations to member reproductive health and rights in the of parity and respond to violence and sex- agenda, particularly in the context of states and issued a standalone policy the Decade of Action; and freedom of 6 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 7

information, again due to increased with U.N. officials and comments from has at last come to a close—we found, Guterres’s first term and the rescheduled transparency around the COVID-19 his Executive Office continue to insist across the board, missed opportunities celebration of the Generation Equality Response and Recovery Fund and that this is an internal-facing Task Force to enable greater civil society access Forum,10 all eyes are on the Secretary- increasing telecast and virtual meetings with no mandate to increase financing and foster greater transparency, two General to make this the banner year for in the wake of the pandemic. for gender equality, and no clear plans to critical components of our Feminist U.N. gender equality and women’s rights—as disseminate any information with regard agenda. As lobbies closed so too did well as intersecting human rights issues Scores remained the same in one area, to the Task Force—from membership valuable opportunities for information that came to the fore in 2020, like racism— on parity and rights protections, where to recommendations—to the public, exchange and influencing on the that 2020 was supposed to be. he is ahead of schedule, and went down an unfortunate development and one margins of negotiations and debates, in two: financing for gender equality that has undermined pandemic-related with no digital mechanism designed We urge Secretary-General Guterres to make his and enabling a feminist transformation progress where financing is concerned. to accommodate this. For every event for CSW and UN Women. Two important Finally, on the CSW, we elected not to or forum we tracked, advocates and commitment to gender equality a centerpiece of his notes here: On financing, the SG’s strong score the SG this year given that the CSW academics alike expressed frustration that campaign for reelection, using his fifth year in office leadership on the COVID-19 Response was largely canceled, scheduled as it meetings were still scheduled in Eastern to cement progress to date, embrace outstanding areas and Recovery Fund would have taken was to convene in March, just as global Standard Time, designed to accommodate his score up rather than down had the lockdowns were beginning. New York participation, even though of our agenda and set a strong expectation either for Campaign not uncovered, in the course participants no longer were physically himself or for his successors to achieve or exceed. of this year’s research, a Concept Note Zooming out a bit from the Secretary- required in New York. In a year that could outlining a significantly increased level General himself to consider overall have transformed colonial and Western- In his first year in office, Guterres of ambition and transparency that was trendlines in the larger system, there is centric approaches underpinning U.N. proclaimed, “Do not let us in the UN off initially planned for one of his signature one important lesson from 2020 that processes and events, civic space seemed the hook.”11 The Feminist U.N. Campaign efforts in this area, the High-Level Task merits deeper examination, not only by more constricted than ever. Particularly took that request to heart. While we Force on Financing for Gender Equality the SG and his leadership team, but also following the global protests that erupted commend the Secretary-General’s efforts, (HLTF). This document revealed that, at by the various agencies, officials and against racism and white supremacy, the we recognize that a feminist U.N. system least initially, the SG’s plans for the Task member states operating throughout the U.N. as an institution and the SG as its is still far from reality. As such, we repeat Force included a number of Campaign system: as the pandemic necessitated a leader must confront these intersecting the Secretary-General’s words back to asks: increased resourcing for gender move to virtual modalities for a number of issues head-on. him: “Keep pushing. Keep inspiring. Keep equality, civil society input and public U.N. meetings, events and processes—a making a difference.”12 dissemination of report findings and move that is likely to endure to some Looking ahead to 2021, which marks the recommendations. However, interviews degree even after the pandemic chapter fifth and final year of Secretary-General The fight is far from over.

It is important to note that this assessment is listening to civil society’s calls for feminist the Secretary-General is not solely responsible as an institution born out of international evaluates the Secretary-General’s progress leadership and is willing to take good ideas on for effecting the recommended changes, and crisis, in direct response to authoritarianism, against the Campaign’s recommended agenda, board. We insist that our six action areas are there are a number of factors beyond his and chartered specifically “to reaffirm faith in not his own. The goal and intention of this effort equally worthy of his attention and will continue control—not the least of which are political fundamental human rights, in the dignity and is to seed ideas for the SG’s action that would to push for their consideration and uptake. For undercurrents surrounding this era of decreasing worth of the human person, in the equal rights lead to necessary transformation within the even if Secretary-General Guterres does not act resource flows, intensifying ethno-nationalist and of men and women and of nations large and U.N. system, giving credit where he has taken on all of our recommendations, some future misogynist sentiments undergirding the rise of small,” we believe the United Nations is up to the up civil society’s ideas and calling attention Secretary-General might, and in the spirit of authoritarian governments, and ongoing reforms task and hence present our progress assessment where he has not. As we saw in those first, forward momentum and future progress we will that reflect and manifest these trends. Our order as an appropriate and essential call to action to historic days, this is a Secretary-General who continue to present them. We also recognize that is, therefore, an admittedly tall one. Nonetheless, realize these founding ideals. 8 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 9 HOW TO BUILD A MORE FEMINIST UNITED NATIONS

The election of a new Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2016 provided an THREE important opportunity to ensure that the United Nations implements an agenda that puts gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights at the heart of everything it does. FINANCE FOR GENDER EQUALITY Ensure there are sufficient funds committed to gender equality across the U.N., The Feminist U.N. Campaign created its initial report card in early 2017, in response to including full funding for UN Women as well as for gender integration throughout Secretary-General Guterres declaring himself a “feminist” as he took the helm at the the U.N. system. Convene an annual High-Level Panel on Financing Gender Equality United Nations. Since then, it has measured the extent to which the Secretary-General to analyze and present the state of financing for women’s rights and gender advanced progress toward a more gender-equitable world and U.N. system across equality within the U.N. system. Publish funding sources to enhance transparency six recommendations: across all agencies.

ONE FOUR ARTICULATE AND IMPLEMENT A UTILIZE FEMINIST LEADERSHIP FEMINIST LEADERSHIP AGENDA Increase the numbers of women and feminists in U.N. leadership, and protect women’s Secretary-General Guterres should set out and implement a full-fledged women’s rights rights across the system. Secretary-General Guterres should achieve gender parity in his agenda for the duration of his term, including a commitment to report on progress and appointments, call for nominations for strong female candidates to head critical agencies work with feminist civil society to hone and implement it. and establish and implement feminist policies across the system, including whistle-blower policies and a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of gender-based violence.

TWO FIVE ENSURE FEMINIST IMPLEMENTATION ENABLE A FEMINIST TRANSFORMATION ANDACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE FOR CSW AND U.N. WOMEN DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) Commit to ensure that the CSW and U.N. Women live up to their potential by The SDGs represent the single best opportunity to achieve gender equality and include serving as inclusive platforms for civil society participation, with a specific focus a focus on gender and advance women’s rights across the U.N.’s efforts. Ensure the on the inclusion of southern, feminist voices. goals have a strong accountability framework and continue to focus on gender including and beyond Goal 5, and align with other commitments such as the Beijing Platform for Action and have a clear mandate for oversight at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). SIX PROMOTE THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION IN THE U.N. SYSTEM

Announce system-wide reforms to increase transparency within the U.N. and to build public trust in the U.N. system. Institute universal System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (SWAPs) for all U.N. agencies and bodies, including the fifth committee, and make that data publicly available on a central platform. 10 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 11

General for maintaining a rhetorical called out “default man” thinking, which focus on gender equality with speeches accepts men’s circumstances, preferences REPORT CARD devoted entirely to the issue, and for and lifestyles as standard and normal— increasing references to gender in other compared to women as the exception. In remarks—an uptake of the Feminist U.N. the same speech, Guterres asserted that Campaign’s recommendations. sexual and reproductive rights are “under threat from different sides”—responding In addition to the laudable increase in the to our Campaign’s recommendation to ONE number of speeches connecting gender more frequently and publicly address 2020 GRADE: A- ARTICULATE AND But 2020 shattered expectations. A equality to other topics and outside of gender issues deemed “controversial.” 2019: B+ global pandemic ground progress to gender-related events or anniversaries, He also spoke about the role of gender 2018: B+ IMPLEMENT A FEMINIST a halt, canceled events and rendered the content of the SG’s speeches with stereotypes in promoting risky behaviors 2017: B LEADERSHIP AGENDA anniversaries moot, not to mention the regard to gender equality also improved, among men and boys—driving the point havoc it wreaked on the global populace, becoming more substantive and that gender inequality is to the detriment Our Ask: The Feminist U.N. Campaign most especially women and girls. containing more systemic and power- of all, and not just women.13 defines a feminist leadership agenda as: based analyses of structural constraints i) a full-fledged women’s rights agenda based As we assess the Secretary-General’s to equality. In the 14 speeches focused entirely on on U.N. policies of human rights, equality, leadership in this unprecedented and gender issues, Guterres frequently spoke fairness and nondiscrimination, which unpredicted context, we find the pandemic This was most notable in the Secretary- about women’s leadership, gender parity, ii) outlines which members of the Secretary- featured heavily in shaping his agenda— General’s speech on “Women and Power” violence against women, and conflict, General’s administration are responsible and that ultimately, his focus on gender delivered at The New School, a university peace and security—issues he has focused for implementing its key provisions, and equality remained or perhaps even in New York City, in February. This high- on in previous years as well. While the iii) reports progress to the public on an increased in light of the pandemic. visibility speech set a strong tone and clear SG frequently mentioned the Beijing annual basis with consultation from priority for the year’s focus on gender. Declaration and Platform for Action and feminist civil society and U.N. staff to hone Each year, we examine the Secretary- In his remarks, Guterres proclaimed: the Generation Equality Forum in this and implement. General’s messaging around gender “Gender equality is a question of power; set of 14 speeches, there were very few equality and various related issues power that has been jealously guarded references to this commemoration in his Progress to date: through a coding and analysis of his public by men for millennia.” For a global public 93 other speeches. Speeches focused speeches. In the time period analyzed and political leader, blatant language entirely on gender are delivered to an The Agenda for this report (December 15, 2019 to about power and patriarchy is uncommon. audience rather familiar with gender Our 2019 analysis found that, for December 11, 2020), Secretary-General We commend the Secretary-General’s equality issues and events; therefore, we those both inside and outside of the Guterres delivered a total of 169 public efforts to raise awareness around the encourage the Secretary-General to raise U.N. system, there was a sense of lost speeches. Of this number, 14 were entirely roots of gender inequality, as indeed awareness about the Beijing Declaration momentum as the Secretary-General on gender issues (equal to last year)— power was mentioned not just in this anniversary and Generation Equality turned inward from his proactive agenda mainly delivered at commemorative speech, but in several remarks delivered Forum in his other engagements. In the to focus on other matters, such as funding events or occasions and key women’s throughout the year. In the same “Women same set of speeches, Guterres made shortfalls and corresponding budget cuts. rights meetings or conferences. The and Power” speech, Guterres identified sure to point out the pernicious impacts “Progress stalled,” the title of our report, number of speeches on other topics that five key areas relevant to gender equality: of the COVID-19 pandemic on women. was a prevailing theme. If there was some nonetheless included a focus on gender conflict and violence, the climate crisis, While he often highlighted increasing upside, there was a sense that 2020 would grew, however (93 as compared to 85 inclusive economies, the digital divide and levels of gender-based violence during the be different, marking a major push on last year). A large number of these were political representation. He challenged pandemic, he also referenced women’s gender equality initiatives, implementation pandemic-related as the SG consistently accepted ways of thinking around gender leadership during crisis, invisible and and awareness-raising, particularly with focused on the gendered impacts of equality issues; for instance, when unpaid care work, and women frontline the 10th anniversary of UN Women, the COVID-19 (an emphasis on violence referencing the trillions of dollars poured and essential workers. 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 and the against women, which he termed “the into peace and security, he asked, “Whose 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration shadow pandemic,” was particularly peace? Whose security?” and questioned Guterres improved in integrating and Platform for Action and associated prominent). 61 speeches did not reference the inequality that is foundational to gender into non-gender speeches and Generation Equality Forum events. gender at all. We commend the Secretary- structures and institutions. Guterres also settings, a key recommendation from 12 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 13

last year. He also became much more Secretary-General should increase and While the Secretary-General rightfully This year, we again analyzed the Secretary- NEARLY 15% conversant in feminist analysis, elaborate on such references. Patriarchy responded to staff concerns, he and the General’s social media engagement of tweets from the recognizing power at the root of gender and colonialism are deeply related; entire U.N. system must be more proactive through his posts on Twitter. Of his 902 SG this year were inequality issues. In the 93 speeches their influence permeates not just in standing up against racism. Racism is tweets in the period of analysis, 133 tweets about issues related not explicitly about gender issues, there global inequalities and international a rights issue, and a feminist issue; in the were gender-related—nearly 15 percent. to gender. were 143 non-substantive references relations, but also the organization and face of blatant rights violations, the U.N.’s This reflects a significant increase from to gender or gender-related topics, and success of the U.N. system itself. In his actions must match its rhetoric. last year, when he tweeted about gender 38 substantive references.14 Last year’s remarks about racism in the workplace, only 56 times out of 540 tweets (nearly 11 85 speeches not explicitly about gender delivered in November, Guterres lacked The Secretary-General also made minimal percent). A large portion of these gender- This is a issues included 51 substantive references any substantive references to women and references to adolescent girls. In few related tweets (34 percent) focused on 17 4% INCREASE and 81 non-substantive references. The gender. It is important that he recognize, instances, he mentioned girls’ education, COVID-19, mentioning disproportionate from last year. Secretary-General frequently pointed and act upon, the biases, barriers and child marriage, pregnancy and young effects on women (e.g. increased domestic out the gendered effects of COVID-19 discrimination facing women of color in women’s participation in leadership and violence, job loss, pushback on women’s in exacerbating inequalities. He often the workplace and worldwide. decision-making. However, he often rights). Guterres frequently tweeted about spoke about women’s leadership, violence spoke about youth as a bloc—instead gender-based violence (about 22 ABOUT 22% against women and conflict, peace and Taken particularly in the context of the of recognizing the intersections of age of the gender-related percent of his gender-related tweets), security. However, much of his language police killing of George Floyd last year, with other identities. Guterres articulated tweets from the SG both in the context of COVID-19 and focus on violence. on gender issues reaffirmed gender as which prompted mass protests for racial many barriers facing adolescent girls in regarding sexual and physical violence binary. For example, in his speech at the justice, both in the U.S. and worldwide, his speech on “A Call to Action for the in war. 18 of the Secretary-General’s New School—otherwise perceived as a the SG’s leadership in recognizing Education of Adolescent Girls,” delivered in gender-related tweets focused on rather progressive speech—Guterres the intersecting issues of racism and February, but could better integrate such achieving parity, particularly through referred to men as “half the population,” gender equality is all the more pressing, references in other speeches.19 an increase in women’s leadership and which was critiqued for excluding other noticeable and overdue. Initially, the U.N. participation. Three of these tweets genders. Similarly, at the opening of the discouraged its staff from participating in A common trend emerging from the discussed parity in U.N. peacekeeping General Assembly, he referenced women protests and breaking curfew. The U.N. Secretary-General’s speeches was his forces. Additionally, 14 of his gender- as “half of humanity,” and his references ethics board issued a circular that stated, pivot to speaking about gender parity related tweets mentioned power to LGBTIQ+ individuals are exceedingly “Participation in public demonstrations when discussing how the U.N. exemplifies differentials between men and women. rare.15 We urge the Secretary-General to in the current circumstances may not be its commitment to gender equality. For use more gender-inclusive language, and consistent with the independence and example, in his speech to the 33rd African Like his speeches, Guterres’s tweets still to expand his definition of gender parity impartiality required of us as international Union Summit, Guterres identified gender reaffirm gender as binary. Only two tweets and equality—both within the U.N. system civil servants.” According to an article equality as one key to poverty eradication, and worldwide. in Foreign Policy, Guterres had initially proclaiming: “At the bottom line this is endorsed this circular; however, his office a question of power. We live in a male- 2% 3% Key informants pointed out that Guterres disputes this coverage, claiming he did not. dominated world. That is why I have made often falls short of recognizing the The ethics board instructions prompted gender parity a centerpiece of U.N. reform 14% intersections of gender, race and other significant pushback from U.N. staff and and gender equality and the advancement 21% FIGURE 1 identities. His references to race and advocates, who argued that their guidance of women a top priority in all the U.N. Survey respondents’ satisfaction racism were often separate from his defied rights to free speech and peaceful does.”20 While the Secretary-General’s with the SG’s leadership and references to gender—and he had assembly. Guterres eventually reversed efforts to advance gender parity are response to the COVID-19 very few references to race at all. One this position, citing the U.N.’s record of important and overdue, parity does 15% pandemic in regards to gender strong example is his Nelson Mandela challenging racism and discrimination, not shift power if underlying ideologies and women’s rights issues (n=66). lecture on inequality and a new social and urging staff to contact U.N. leadership remain unchanged and continue to 45% contract, delivered in July. In his remarks, if they face racial profiling themselves.18 reinforce the binary construction of he commented that “multiple inequalities If Guterres had in fact endorsed the gender. It is equally important to ensure intersect and reinforce each other across circular, this situation raises questions that all people in leadership roles embrace the generations” and that colonialism about the centrality of race and racism feminist values and pledge to challenge Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral and patriarchy are “two of the historic to the U.N.’s mandate—particularly its the patriarchal, colonialist culture sources of inequality in our world.”16 The alleged commitment to human rights. pervading the U.N. system. Satisfied Very satisfied Don’t know 14 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 15

mention LBGTIQ+ individuals. Given the gender-based violence, and exacerbated on children highlights the damaging, support for the COVID-19 Response potential for social media to reach broad conditions in conflict, fragility and differential effects of the pandemic on and Recovery Fund (which is further audiences, we suggest he adopt more emergency contexts. The policy brief girls—particularly girls’ education. It points addressed in Section 3) and the U.N.’s gender-inclusive language in his online makes three main recommendations: to out that girls’ limited access to digital framework for immediate socio-economic engagement as well. Despite sexual ensure women’s equal representation technology affects their opportunities recovery.31,32 Women Rise for All brings harassment being a major issue in the in all COVID-19 decision-making and for online learning, and warns of a rise together women leaders across sectors U.N. system itself and globally, Guterres response planning; to address the paid in teenage pregnancies as girls drop out to encourage greater action to “save lives only mentions harassment in one tweet— and unpaid care economy; and to target of school.27 Similarly, the policy brief on and protect livelihoods” and to insist that in the context of harassment against women and girls in all socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 on older persons governments “address the human crisis women leaders. Guterres tweeted about responses to COVID-19.23 According to brings attention to older women, who of the pandemic.”33 This includes women the “#GlobalGoals” (SDGs) 33 times, but comments shared by the EOSG, this policy are often more vulnerable to violence, advocates, philanthropists, Heads of State mentioned women in just four. He only brief informed the General Assembly’s abuse and neglect.28 The gendered and heads of U.N. agencies. This initiative tweeted about the 25th anniversary of Third Committee24 resolutions on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were links COVID-19 recovery to the Decade the Beijing Declaration and Platform for advancement of women and girls within incorporated in 18 other policy briefs and of Action to achieve the Sustainable 25 Action once (in March), posting: “25 years the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the documents, including those focused on Development Goals (SDGs) (further after the Beijing women’s conference, General Assembly Omnibus Resolution regional conditions, food security and addressed in Section 2), and centralizes 26 violence against women & girls is still on COVID-19 Response. Following nutrition, disability inclusion, migration women’s frontline leadership on the not only common, but accepted as a fact significant civil society advocacy, the and refugees, mental health and economic global stage. Together with the Secretary- 29 of life. This must change. Achieving Omnibus Resolution also incorporates recovery. Additionally, the Global General’s other actions, initiatives gender equality is the key to securing a reference to the SG’s call for a global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19, and messaging, these efforts reflect a our future,” linking to a press release ceasefire and “peace at home and in released by the United Nations Office for commitment by the U.N. system to both about a UNICEF, Plan International and homes around the world.” The Omnibus the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs integrate gender in COVID-19 response 21 UN Women report on girls’ education. Resolution recognizes the pandemic’s (OCHA), also integrates several references and recovery and amplify women’s Likewise, he tweeted about joining detrimental toll on women in several to the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on leadership in times of crisis. the #GenerationEquality movement references, including: women and girls, specifically referencing just once—a missed opportunity to GBV and access to sexual and reproductive raise awareness about an important “Deeply concerned that the health services. In its gendered analysis, The Team Responsible commemoration, particularly when the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 it also mentions that “Greater harm can Like previous years, much of the Generation Equality Forum is upcoming. pandemic on the social and economic also be expected for lesbian, gay, bisexual, Secretary-General’s core team remains situation of women and girls and their transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people the same—including several women in Assessing the Secretary-General’s access to education and essential health who typically face prejudice, discrimination leadership positions. This includes Deputy commitment to a feminist leadership services, the increased demand for paid and barriers to care, due to their sex, Secretary-General Amina Mohammed agenda this year necessarily warrants and unpaid care work and the reported sexual orientation, and/or gender leading work on SDGs; Under-Secretary- examination of his response to the surge of sexual and gender-based identity.”30 This demonstrates effort and General (USG) and Senior Policy Advisor COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary- violence, including domestic violence intention by the Secretary-General’s office Ana Maria Menéndez serving as a focal General’s office released a series of policy and violence in digital contexts, during to prioritize gender in post-COVID-19 point for civil society, co-chairing the High- briefs on the impacts of COVID-19 on both confinement, are deepening already response and recovery, and to insist that Level Task Force on Financing for Gender thematic areas and regional issues.22 The existing inequalities and risk reversing the member states follow suit. Going into Equality and leading on accountability first thematic policy brief, released in progress in achieving gender equality and 2021, the Secretary-General must continue and implementation of the SG’s Gender April, focuses entirely on women—a the empowerment of women and girls to reiterate these messages and policy Parity Strategy; and Senior Gender Advisor clear indication that gender equality made in recent decades.” recommendations—in public speeches, Nahla Valji providing substantive gender ranks highly on the Secretary-General’s documents and any bilateral and expertise on the Secretary-General’s agenda, and in his efforts to influence Importantly, in addition to a strong brief multilateral meetings with global leaders overall agenda. Assistant-Secretary- member state policymaking around on COVID-19 and gender, almost all other and Heads of State. General (ASG) for Strategic Coordination COVID-19. It highlights adverse effects COVID-19 policy briefs and documents Volker Turk, appointed last year, works on economic well-being, unpaid care incorporate a gender perspective (except In April, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) closely with senior leadership in the Chief work, health—including access to sexual the one focused on debt). For example, Amina Mohammed launched “Women Executives Board (CEB) and liaises with civil and reproductive health services—and the policy brief on impacts of COVID-19 Rise for All,” an advocacy initiative urging society leaders. 16 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 17

Key informant interviews with U.N. staff in-depth initiatives and discussions with Public Reporting and that were not limited to those who could LGBTIQ+ communities, including staff, are Opportunities for Feminist Critique afford to travel to New York—or, as has revealed that the Executive Office of the necessary and welcome. increasingly been an issue in recent and Civil Society Input years, who could obtain visas to enter Secretary-General (EOSG) has prioritized On the matter of annual progress Through key informant interviews the United States. greater learning, discussion and collaboration reporting, limited information continues and comments shared by the EOSG, to be available to the broader public, with on gender equality with senior leadership. we also learned that the Deputies’ While the town hall is the SG’s primary the notable exception of the gender parity Committee (comprised of Assistant- opportunity to hear from feminist civil An example cited was that the Executive Secretary-Generals, or ASGs) held a dashboard, which is quite comprehensive, society, it only takes place once a year. Key Committee (EC) held a discussion on day-long retreat specifically on gender and, as of this year, regular public informants expressed a desire for more obstacles and opportunities for women’s equality, during which they discussed reporting on COVID-19 response efforts. continued, regular engagement with the political participation with a key focus on the women, peace and security agenda; As in previous years, we only learned Secretary-General—instead of a single violence. As a result of this discussion, the the 25th anniversary of the Beijing of many of the SG’s efforts through our event in which they may or may not be Executive Committee developed guidance Declaration and Platform for Action; interviews with U.N. officials close to granted the opportunity to speak. Indeed, for U.N. Country Teams on how the global trends around gender and the the Secretary-General. We continue to the move to virtual consultation in 2020 U.N. can systematically support women future of work; and gender biases in recommend that the EOSG develop would seem to facilitate more regular candidates and women’s meaningful data and analysis. This greater attention a mechanism to make these efforts exchange, if waiting for feminists from engagement in politics. According to the to gender equality at this level of system visible and accessible to the broader around the world to travel to New York EOSG, this guidance is soon to be shared leadership is progress, albeit overdue; in public, and recommend annual, public is no longer a prerequisite. To encourage with Resident Coordinators. Also per the words of one key informant, gender progress reporting as both a matter of broader participation, virtual town halls comments from the EOSG, the EC hosted equality has become “part of the DNA” transparency and an opportunity to can be held more frequently and to discussions on femicide, civic space and of senior leadership, with “not tokenism leverage more broadly those resources accommodate multiple time zones. women’s civil society and other gender- or ticking the box, but a genuine, deep that are developed as part of his specific issues. Their comments indicated discussion.” Per comments from the ongoing efforts. Comments from the EOSG provided that gender was mainstreamed into a EOSG, the retreat culminated in senior additional information about the scope range of thematic and country-specific officials making personal and institutional With regard to opportunities for feminist of civil society engagement with the discussions among the EC. We urge the commitments to shifting the needle on critique and civil society input, the Secretary-General’s team. In lieu of her EC to continue such discussions, and “default male” thinking and ensuring COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically regular country travels, DSG Amina bring attention to often-overlooked, yet that decisions are based on gender data changed the landscape for participation Mohammed conducted a two-day virtual pressing topics; for instance, civil society and analysis. The EOSG has followed- in any and all U.N. convenings, visit to Colombia. She met with young insists that U.N. leadership bring greater up by initiating an in-depth analysis of simultaneously creating unprecedented women peacebuilders, women human attention to the systematic killing and EC decisions since 2017 which a key barriers and opportunities thereto. The rights defenders and women leaders repression of women human rights informant says resulted in an increase 64th session of CSW—scheduled for March, on the implementation of Colombia’s defenders worldwide. Key informants in the number of gender references in as in all years—was largely suspended. 2016 peace agreement, as well as new revealed that the EC also held, for EC decisions, particularly throughout The Commission proceeded only with challenges arising within the context of the first time, a discussion on sexual 2020. Some of these decisions ensured an opening session and adoption of a the COVID-19 pandemic.34 Furthermore, orientation and gender identity (SOGI). that gender data was considered as draft Political Declaration. Any interactive according to comments from the They discussed support for and barriers part of the implementation of broader sessions and side events were canceled. EOSG, ASG Volker Turk hosts regular facing LBGTIQ+ staff and communities decisions, while others actively engaged Since his first year in office, Secretary- consultations with civil society on a range worldwide, examining how the U.N. can with women as agents of change. These General Guterres has hosted an annual of issues, and approximately 30 percent advocate for LBGTIQ+ rights and inclusion. developments are best seen as part of the town hall with women’s civil society of these meetings are with gender and It is unclear whether any outcomes came Secretary General’s stated commitment organizations during CSW. This year, women’s rights organizations. from this unprecedented and overdue (as expressed in the New School speech) instead of canceling the town hall entirely, discussion. While this is certainly progress, to confront “default male” thinking within he hosted it virtually some months later, Like every year, opportunities for civil key informants from civil society pointed the organization and to explore ways in August. This reflects a continued society participation in major convenings, out that the U.N. continues to lag behind to leverage the influence of the United commitment to hear from women civil like CSW and the High-Level Political in supporting LGBTIQ+ communities Nations to ensure women’s representation society leaders year after year, and Forum on Sustainable Development worldwide. As such, additional and more in political and peace processes. opened opportunities for participation (HLPF), and everyday U.N. affairs are 18 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 19

severely restricted. Such participation persons, environmental defenders, became even more complicated as children, young people and members WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE: meetings moved online; while online of ethnic and religious minorities and convenings can reach a broader audience, indigenous groups among targeted civil These are three areas in which we early on that gender is foundational to they do not necessarily encourage society actors.36 meaningful participation unless evaluate progress in this section: the the COVID-19 pandemic, and moving articulation and implementation of a forward, he must maintain momentum organized to do so. Furthermore, timings Shortly after his speech at the New “feminist agenda” per our definition and urgency. Furthermore, we urge the did little to anticipate or accommodate School, the Secretary-General launched global engagement; from HLPF to UNGA, above; the delineation of a team Secretary-General to more frequently a Call to Action for Human Rights at the timings of various virtual events were responsible for seeing it through; and and substantively recognize multiple and the opening of the Human Rights Council still scheduled in EST, and held over long the transparency, accessibility and intersecting forms of discrimination— where he identified gender equality as hours that resulted in participants in the permeability of that process to civil even within the U.N. system. He must a priority. In a follow-up to this Call, per Eastern hemisphere in particular staying society stakeholders. Our 2020 analysis speak more regularly and in more depth comments submitted by the EOSG, the up until two and three o’clock in the finds that progress is needed in the about the effects of racism, LBGTIQ+ morning in order to stay engaged. EOSG and the Office of the U.N. High following areas: rights, adolescent girls, disability and the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) intersections of multiple identities—and This also raises questions of how the U.N. have been working closely to transform In the context of COVID-19, the Secretary- ensure that these serve as the foundation would integrate the voices and needs of these priorities into concrete actions and General seems to have sharpened the of future policies, programming and those women and girls without internet transform his commitments in the speech feminist lens through which he views leadership decisions. access. As one key informant pointed into improved realities on the ground. the world, increasing the scope of his gender analysis and its connection to out, “How many grassroots organizations According to the EOSG, work has begun According to information provided by the other issues. He has been a key global holding the gender equality agenda can on leveraging the U.N. to repeal gender EOSG, the EOSG and OHCHR are working spokesperson bringing needed attention afford to be on video and deliberate with discriminatory laws and use the human to advance implementation of the SG’s to the pandemic’s detrimental effects decision-makers?” rights tools available under the Convention Call to Action for Human Rights in two on women’s rights and gender equality on the Elimination of all Forms of areas: amending discriminatory laws Promoting and protecting civic space— through his speeches, social media Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and increasing the use of TSMs. We urge which refers to opportunities for citizens engagement and various official policy such as the use of Temporary Special the Secretary-General to see through all and civil society organizations to freely briefs and documents. This is critical Measures (TSMs) and quotas, for more remaining Call to Action commitments, assemble and express their views—has progress at a challenging time. He must catalytic progress on SDG 5 and ensuring and ensure more meaningful inclusion of also been on the U.N.’s agenda.35 In line continue to raise awareness about women’s participation across all spheres civil society throughout the U.N. system. with the SG’s Call to Action for Human the Beijing Declaration and upcoming of society. The Call to Action for Human Rights, the U.N. issued a Guidance Note on Generation Equality Forum, particularly to The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Rights—released to commemorate the Protection and Promotion of Civic Space in audiences who may be less familiar with the world’s power differentials and U.N.’s 75th year—also pledges to “launch a September. This Guidance Note, directed this commemoration. challenged its institutions. The U.N. must to U.N. staff and leadership, recognizes dialogue on more systematic participation use this opportunity to reexamine its own civic space as essential to COVID-19 of civil society in United Nations bodies Moving forward, we urge the Secretary- establishment, and defy the remnants of response and recovery, and urges U.N. and agencies, with special attention to General to continue using his leadership colonialism and hegemony within its own leadership to understand “attempts at women’s rights organizations and young platform to ensure that U.N. agencies ranks. As virtual meetings and conferences limiting participation and silencing those people” and to “design a system-wide and programs, as well as member continue into 2021—and perhaps longer— who speak” as “early warning signs” of strategy on civic space and adequate states, prioritize women and girls in their the U.N. must ensure broad reach and restrictive action. The Guidance Note guidance to U.N. leaders in the field,” COVID-19 response and recovery teams accessibility. It must accommodate recognizes women advocates, LGBTI among other commitments.37 and plans. In moments of crisis, gender multiple time zones, set up mechanisms is often forgotten, robbed of human and for more meaningful participation and financial resources that are redirected determine effective strategies to engage to other urgent crises. We commend women and communities without Secretary-General Guterres for recognizing digital access. 20 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 21

TWO access to sexual and reproductive health Similarly, one key informant pointed out Declaration as “problematic.” This civil 2020 GRADE: B- ENSURE FEMINIST services and rights; and ending the gender that it seems the SG is “hitting the right society representative pointed out that it 2019: C pay gap are just some of the areas we notes” in many of his words and speeches. was “harder to call for accountability” and 2018: C IMPLEMENTATION AND are targeting.” We ask the Secretary- Guterres must continue highlighting the that the format was “tricky and opaque.” 2017: D+ ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE General and the Deputy Secretary-General connections between the 2030 Agenda In addition to the Ministerial Declaration, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT to ensure that the Decade of Action and other key anniversaries and turning on which member states never reached an is not just about awareness-raising, points, like the COVID-19 pandemic and agreement, key informants noted that the GOALS (SDGs) but also implementation and long- economic recovery, the anniversaries of resolution on ECOSOC reform “went into term sustainability. the Beijing Declaration and Platform for hiding” with no mechanism for civil society Progress to date: Action and other human rights instruments input. Another key informant pointed out We only have ten more years to realize Despite the urgency of instituting a and occasions. He should also take actions that meeting times were mostly amenable the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Decade of Action, we find less frequent where he is able to institutionalize those to those in the Global North, and that few Sustainable Development— and COVID-19 references to the SDGs and their relation connections—as he has in the case of the translations were available. has only set a world that was already to gender equality in the Secretary- COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. behind further off-track. In such a context, General’s speeches. These were, While online convenings have the potential it is essential that Secretary-General understandably, largely overtaken by Each year, the HLPF is cited as an area to reach more people, their design can Guterres advance public communication, references to COVID-19 and its detrimental of weakness in the Secretary-General’s either restrict or expand meaningful implementation and member state impact on women. There are a few agenda. While the HLPF is largely a participation. In the case of HLPF, key assistance to achieve the SDGs, and powerful examples, however. In his member state-driven process, as is SDG informants indicated that potential for in particular, to champion Goal 5 on address marking the 64th session of CSW, implementation, the Secretary-General expansion fell victim to exclusion: as one gender equality, which has suffered Guterres claimed: “We all understand and the Deputy Secretary-General can survey respondent pointed out, “Due to the acute setbacks across targets in the the imperative of achieving Sustainable play a key role in raising global attention nature of it having to be virtual, there was wake of the pandemic. Development Goal 5 on gender equality. to the forum and its purpose—but they limited ability to have discussions on the This is, quite simply, a question of justice.” continually fall short of responding to civil margins or to meet with member states to This urgency is clearly not lost on the He also noted that achieving the SDGs is society concerns. Each year, civil society give better language, red lines or input to SG. In January, the Secretary-General integral to “accelerate the implementation organizations cite restrictions on their the negotiations in general.” launched the Decade of Action to deliver of the Beijing Platform for Action.” We time and participation in HLPF, as well as the SDGs. This was a direct response commend and encourage the SG for this intimidation from member states. Civil Our survey showed mixed results on civil to the 2019 Political Declaration of the language, as linking SDG implementation society organizations possess important society’s level of satisfaction with HLPF, High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)— with human rights and the Beijing insights on local development processes, likely demonstrating the varied effects wherein member states called upon Declaration and Platform for Action was implementation and impacts on local of the shift to online convenings: virtual the SG to mobilize actors in “generating one of the Feminist U.N. Campaign’s communities. Limiting their participation in events can enhance accessibility for some solutions and accelerating action” on initial recommendations. HLPF thereby prevents accurate reporting respondents, while restricting it for others. SDG implementation, and to “organize on SDG progress. In an era of shrinking civil Survey results, as demonstrated in this an annual moment to highlight inspiring As in years past, a majority of global civil society space, the Feminist U.N. Campaign section’s figures show that 41 percent of action on the Goals.”38 The Decade society representatives who responded asks the Secretary-General to use his respondents were satisfied or very satisfied of Action calls for global, local and to our survey39 either agree or strongly leadership platform to request greater with consultation between governments “people” action to advance sustainable agree that the Secretary-General has accommodation, respect and equity for and civil society on SDG implementation in development. In his speech at the New expressed support for full implementation civil society participants. It is also important the 2020 HLPF, 35 percent were dissatisfied School on “Women and Power,” Guterres of SDG 5 on gender equality (83 percent), to make connections between the HLPF or very dissatisfied, and 21 percent were announced, “The Decade of Action is as well as gender mainstreaming across and other U.N. mechanisms on human neutral. On satisfaction with opportunities aimed at transforming institutions and all SDGs (75 percent) (n=87). Indeed, rights, as the HLPF remains a largely for civil society to input into the Ministerial structures, broadening inclusion and actions speak louder than words, and voluntary convening. Declaration, 47 percent felt satisfied or very driving sustainability. Repealing laws that in 2020 the SG explicitly linked the satisfied, while 35 percent felt dissatisfied discriminate against women and girls; COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund This year’s HLPF encountered new—yet or very dissatisfied, and 18 percent were increasing protection against violence; to SDG implementation, and to Goal 5 avoidable—challenges as the format neutral. On satisfaction with the SG’s efforts closing the gap in girls’ education and in particular, in its Terms of Reference moved entirely online. One key informant to increase opportunities for civil society digital technology; guaranteeing full (to be further addressed in Section 3). described the negotiation of the Ministerial participation in this HLPF, 47 percent 22 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 23

were satisfied or very satisfied, 24 percent and addressed. For instance, the Executive were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, and Office of the Secretary-General can publish WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE: 29 percent were neutral. Among the 34 guidance urging member states to conduct respondents to this question, the results digital town hall briefings to civil society While SDG implementation is primarily progress to achieve the Global Goals. The convey a diversity of sentiments towards stakeholders or hold virtual “office hours” a process driven by member states, it SG’s clear focus on Goal 5—including the the 2020 HLPF and its modalities for to hear from constituents throughout the is important that the SG use every more historically controversial areas—in participation, which, entering 2021 can be negotiating process, thereby ensuring that element of his leadership platform his speeches is laudable and a welcome further expanded and improved. civil society’s opportunities to input are to push for gender mainstreaming embrace of our recommendations. Moving not contingent upon in-person gatherings. throughout the SDGs; for the full forward, the SG should align calls for the A virtual format could and should have done Indeed, such an approach could have more to include new voices who have not implementation of Goal 5, including Decade of Action with priority actions expanded the representation of oft- traditionally been involved in HLPF, but this its more controversial components, developed in the Generation Equality Forum marginalized voices and constituencies year’s forum lacked strategic planning such as sexual and reproductive health Action Coalitions, several of which map well in the negotiating process, even beyond about how to increase accessibility—such as and rights; and for full civil society with the SDG targets. He can and should “normal” years, when those voices had by hosting meetings at times more friendly participation, particularly for feminist, send a system-wide directive asking entities to have physical access to influencing to those outside of New York or conducting girl-led and women’s rights organizations. to participate in and make transformative opportunities in New York. Rather, it outreach to broader constituencies who commitments at the GEF, addressing the became an opportunity for member states typically cannot travel to the forum. Throughout his term, Secretary-General structural drivers of gender inequality and who are suspicious of or outright hostile Guterres has spoken frequently about the ensuring accountability for commitments A lack of in-person meetings means a loss to civil society engagement to literally hide importance of the 2030 Agenda and its made for a 5-year time horizon across all of interaction in the lobbies and corridors behind the virtual walls occasioned by connection to gender equality. This year, he six themes. surrounding these meetings, where civil the pandemic. As some manner of virtual did a better job of clearly linking the SDGs society representatives would literally engagement in such forums is likely here to the women’s human rights agenda, an In the final year of his first term, the “lobby” their member state representatives to stay, even beyond the pandemic, U.N. appropriate and recommended rhetorical Secretary-General and his delegates must in between discussions and in advance of leaders and member states must think shift in this anniversary year of the Beijing call for HLPF to be transformed into a more votes or revisions of text. The loss of access urgently and intentionally about how to Declaration and Platform for Action. He open, inclusive process. If the forum is again to these physical spaces for lobbying and use such platforms to expand, rather than improved in specifically focusing on the virtual, it must accommodate participants interaction could have been anticipated restrict, civic space. importance of achieving Goal 5 and how worldwide, as opposed to this year’s HLPF, in the pandemic threatens to reverse progress which timings largely favored those situated 3% made there and on other SDGs; and in in Eastern Standard Time zones. sounding the call on more “controversial” 9% 9% 6% areas of Goal 5, such as sexual and In previous years, Voluntary National 18% 24% 18% 32% reproductive health and rights. This is an Review (VNR) labs were lauded as important, noticeable and laudable shift. effective, encouraging member states 26% 26% to more productively address their SDG The Secretary-General should continue to implementation, gender mainstreaming 23% link the 2030 Agenda to member states’ progress and engagement with civil society. 23% 15% 29% COVID-19 response and recovery plans, The Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary- 21% 18% ensuring the SDGs remain a global priority. General can further encourage member He should keep calling for action on the states to participate in such platforms, gendered aspects of the pandemic—from particularly in making their VNR reporting FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4 unpaid care to gender-based violence—as process more collaborative—and as a result, Survey respondents’ satisfaction Survey respondents’ satisfaction with Survey respondents’ satisfaction with well as women’s leadership and decision- more accurate in revealing both progress with consultation between governments opportunities for civil society to offer the SG’s efforts to increase opportunities making in all response and recovery plans. and shortfalls. Like CSW, HLPF can include a and civil society on SDG implementation input into the HLPF outcome document, for civil society participation in the Town Hall-style forum where civil society and and reporting at 2020 HLPF (n=34). the Ministerial Declaration (n=34). 2020 HLPF (n=34). The Decade of Action is an important grassroots organizations are provided the and necessary messaging campaign opportunity to ask any questions and voice Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very satisfied Don’t know marking the urgently closing window for concerns directly to U.N. leadership. 24 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 25

THREE introduced new challenges for the already inclusive and rights-based approach as the MPTF is reserving 30 percent of all 43 2020 GRADE: C FINANCING FOR cash-strapped U.N. conditions for funding: funds (estimated $6 million) for GEM 3 2019: C+40 projects, in which gender equality and the 2018: C+ GENDER EQUALITY Catherine Pollard, USG for management, empowerment of women and girls is a 2017: C wrote that, “Although the immediate “All U.N. COVID-19 MPTF principal objective.49 To raise awareness Progress to date: impact of the move to alternate working funded initiatives—including about the gender marker and this Call Our report card evaluates the Secretary- conditions in response to the COVID-19 through fiscal and monetary for Proposals, members of the UN Inter- General’s progress in this area against outbreak will lead to reductions in Agency Network on Women and Gender four criteria: collection and publication travel, contractual services, and general stimulus packages—will Equality hosted two “gender-responsive of the System-wide Action Plan (SWAP) operating expenses across all budgets, we promote an inclusive and programming webinars,” which attracted on Gender Equality and the Empowerment also anticipate new demands upon our human rights-based approach 400 participants from UNCTs and Resident of Women; convening a High-Level Task operations and services as we respond to Coordinator Offices (RCOs). At the Recover Force on Financing for Gender Equality; the global health crisis.” to the provision of services and Better Together Action Forum in June, advocating for full funding ($1 billion) livelihood support, ensuring which brought together U.N. stakeholders for UN Women, and committing to a Right she was. that COVID-19 responses to discuss the socioeconomic impacts pathway for full financial transparency fully incorporate human of COVID-19 and strategies for recovery, in the U.N. Our 2020 analysis reveals And so, in response to this unprecedented UN Women also launched the COVID-19 that the SG responded to the COVID-19 exigence, in April the Secretary-General rights considerations. The Gender Monitor, a dashboard that crisis by redoubling efforts to finance launched the U.N. COVID-19 Response funded initiatives need to compiles indicators, such as COVID-19 this agenda through new tools deployed and Recovery Fund, an interagency address gender implications confirmed cases and deaths (by sex and for U.N. recovery and response efforts, mechanism “to help support low- and age) and several SDG indicators (including which have tremendous potential in middle- income program countries to of COVID-19 and design those for Goal 5), to advise on gender- terms of scale of impact should the respond to the pandemic and its impacts, tailored action to avoid responsive policy formation.50 desired amount of funding ($2 billion) including an unprecedented socio- 47 44 gender-based discrimination.” be leveraged and have been deployed economic shock.” As of the start of 2021, This is a significant step forward for the with a high degree of transparency and the fund has collected about $67 million, SG’s leadership in financing for gender According to a Guidance Note developed reporting. However, he encountered or roughly 30 percent of its projected equality, as well as in other relevant by UN Women for the fund, the “COVID-19 real setbacks with regard to the Task financial requirements of $2 billion. The areas of Campaign concern. As discussed MPTF works to make sure its entire Force and financial transparency fund operates under the oversight of the in Section 2, the Fund is designed to portfolio is gender mainstreamed.” To do associated with that body, and made Designate of the Secretary-General for the reinforce SDG implementation, specifying so, it applies a four-point gender marker, no progress with regard to funding for COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), Goal 5 among those most directly introduced in April 2020 and adapted UN Women. Jens Wandel of Denmark, and spans a addressed. UN Women also sits on the period of two years.45 from the UNCT’s own. This considers Advisory Committee for the fund, along to what extent gender is integrated in with WHO, OCHA, the MPTF Office and Financing for Gender Equality In moments of crisis, gender is often programs’ “situation analysis, theory of the UN Development Coordination Office in U.N. COVID-19 Response deprioritized, as it could well have been in change, target population description, (DCO). Funding status, government and Recovery Efforts the priorities and approach for the fund. definition of implementing partners, risk contributions, delivery status and contact In the past few years, the U.N. has been As the SG pointed out in remarks to the analysis, results framework, selected information are regularly updated on facing a bleak funding landscape, with Security Council, “Yet another risk for the SDG focus, and proposed budget.”48 The the MPTF website, promoting greater member states often falling short on long term is the shifting of resources away Guidance Note includes minimum criteria, transparency and public accessibility.51 their financial commitments. In April, the from gender equality initiatives, education advice and good examples of gender The UN Women Guidance Note points to Secretary-General wrote to member states and other economic sectors.”46 mainstreaming. Proposals coded with the Secretary-General’s High-Level Task revealing that the U.N. “ended 2019 with Gender Equality Marker (GEM) 0 (with no Force on Financing for Gender Equality as arrears of $711 million, the highest level Not so: The SG has designed the fund gender focus) do not receive funding, and inspiration: its recommendations called for for a decade and a 34 percent increase to anticipate and address this risk as a proposals coded with GEM 1 (with limited gender integration across the formation, compared to 2018.”41 He asked managers condition for project funding, explicitly gender focus) are discouraged. lifespan and monitoring of pooled funds, to temporarily halt hiring and reduce stating in the Terms of Reference (TOR) which the COVID-19 Response and non-post expenses,42 as COVID-19 further a mandate for gender analysis and an In its second, interim Call for Proposals, Recovery Fund seeks to emulate. Should 26 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 27

the SG be successful in securing the full that, “Across both Roundtables, participants To what extent have they been enacted? Once again, in the course of conducting amount of envisioned funding—$2 billion— called for putting women and climate Did it identify any challenges to address, interviews for the 2020 report card, key this would represent significant potential to justice front and center in our economic or promising practices that could be informants within the U.N. repeated these ensure global response and recovery efforts models and shifting the economic replicated? And what is the path forward? statements. However, ICRW obtained a advance gender equality at scale. paradigm to become more forward- copy of the official Concept Note (see looking by adopting a preventative and A brief history on this: Our 2016 white Annex: Concept Note),56 which is not dated 54 Demonstrating a ripple effect of the SG’s intergenerational approach.” paper encouraged the SG to convene but appears to have been issued in 2018 leadership on financing for gender equality such a body, to consult with and engage based on quoted documents and stated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic The final roundtable, which was gender- civil society experts, and to publish its timelines for HLTF work, which it indicates across the system, the Central Emergency balanced, reflected on the first two findings and recommendations to push for is to conclude by December of that year. discussions and offered recommendations Response Fund, established in 2005 increased investment in gender equality in The stated objectives and process outlined by the U.N. General Assembly, also for a pathway forward. It focused the U.N. and around the world. We initially in the Concept Note directly contradict the designated $65 million to prevent and on immediate actions, eradicating learned of plans to inaugurate such a account we published from 2019 interviews, respond to rising rates of gender-based systemic inequalities and the role of the task force in 2017. Our 2018 report card as well as interviews conducted with U.N. violence around the world.52 multilateral system.55 This is significant revealed that the Task Force had been officials during our 2020 research process and unprecedented in the course of U.N. convened, and that an Advisory Group of and subsequent requests for comments by Further demonstrating improvement in this history. The true test, of course, will be external experts had also been appointed officials in the EOSG and UN Women: area, the results of our global civil society its impact, and the extent to which the to advise the inward-facing Task Force survey show improvement in respondents’ recommendations surfaced in the course of on the basis of their expertise and best level of satisfaction with the SG’s efforts these discussions are taken up. practices. However, the composition of to promote greater transparency and both bodies was never released by the THE CONCEPT NOTE READS: momentum around financing for gender Existing Structures: The High-Level U.N. Our 2019 report card published equality between 2019 and 2020 across all Task Force on Financing for Gender an account of the Task Force given to “The objective of the High-Level Task Force is to dimensions of our analysis. For example, us by U.N. officials: that in December galvanize action across the system for increased and Equality and Spotlight Initiative 2019, the Task Force had submitted an respondents’ level of satisfaction targeted investments for gender equality and women’s (satisfied and very satisfied) on the SG’s High-Level Task Force on assessment and recommendations to the efforts to improve financing for gender Financing for Gender Equality Executive Committee for consideration, empowerment and accurate tracking of resources in equality in U.N. programs and initiatives Announced in 2017 and convened in 2018, which included a mapping of the U.N.’s this area. The Task Force will set a strategic vision and increased from 26 percent in 2019 (n=76) the High-Level Task Force on Financing for gender architecture, as well as a review mobilize the UN-system to increase financing for to 55 percent in 2020 (n=73). Gender Equality (HLTF) has been a core of budgeting systems. The Executive gender equality by: focus of the Feminist U.N. Campaign’s Committee endorsed the recommendations Another relevant 2020 effort by the recommendations for the SG’s leadership and asked the Task Force to continue • Ensuring the UN system is a model for aligning Secretary-General that merits mention on financing for gender equality from its working into 2020, focusing more in this area is his Women Economist inception, though information about the specifically on an implementation plan. financing with gender equality commitments. Roundtable series. In May, the governments Task Force continues to be difficult to obtain • Providing the best evidence on of Canada and Jamaica convened a High- from the EOSG. While the establishment of One key point that we included in our gender equality financing gaps. Level Event on Financing for Development such a body was a key recommendation of 2019 findings, based on interviews with in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond, a key the Campaign and was lauded in our earlier UN officials, was that the Task Force • Applying standardized methodologies for outcome of which was a three-part reports, previous years’ attempts to obtain report was never supposed to be publicly tracking gender equality allocations. discussion series on “Rebirthing the any information about the Task Force from released, nor was the Task Force mandate • Integrating gender equality into current Global Economy to Deliver Sustainable relevant officials—from its participants to ever to push for increasing allocations for expenditure reporting systems. Development.” The first roundtable its recommendations—have been gender equality. This was a disappointment discussion brought together renowned continually frustrated. to us, but, particularly in the context • Incentivizing increased investment in programmatic women economists to discuss debt, external of unprecedented funding shortfalls in and non-programmatic activities across the UN finance and trade. The second discussion Year over year, our key questions included: the U.N. and with no information to the system to advance gender equality.” in this series convened young women who sat on the Task Force, both within contrary, we published this account as economists to discuss jobs and climate the U.N. and among external experts? What fact, once again calling for more action and action.53 A summary of these events states findings and recommendations did it issue? transparency in 2020. 28 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 29

The Concept Note explicitly states that Group.” The Concept Note establishes ensure the report is indeed released Research also indicates that they have the objective of the Task Force is to two working groups, one to focus on publicly as the Concept Note indicates. not been approached to review the “mobilize the UN-system to increase structural and operational changes implementation plan. When asked about financing for gender equality.” To meet needed—including resource reallocation— The exact timing and rationale for the shift this, the EOSG explained that the promised this objective, it will focus on “incentivizing while the other focuses on the scope of in U.N. messaging about the goals and Advisory Group meetings with the Task increased investment in programmatic investment required to strengthen the scope of the Task Force, and that of its Force principals were not held due to and non-programmatic activities across U.N.’s gender architecture system-wide corresponding, expert Advisory Group is COVID-19 delays and “out of respect the U.N. system to advance gender and raising resources among member- unclear. However, given that requests for for the Advisory Group,” as principals equality.” This indicates that the original states, as well as “the establishment of comment from the EOSG as early as 2019 continually delegated representation when formulation of the Task Force aimed a universal minimum financial target of resulted in the same response—that the meetings were scheduled. With regard to to increase investment in gender equality funding allocated to gender equality and Task Force report was never intended to the implementation plan, “The work on both across the U.N. system and among women’s empowerment work.” Finally, the push for increased financing for gender the implementation plan is still ongoing member states, per our Campaign’s Concept Note indicates that the outcome equality, nor was it ever intended to be between the co-chairs, and therefore, recommendation. of the HLTF will be a “report to the released publicly—the Concept Note the implementation plan has not yet been Secretary-General with a set of actionable clearly refutes that claim and, had we had shared within the system57—it will go to Further, the Concept Note outlines a recommendations. The report will be access to it in the previous year, these the Executive Committee next week with governance structure that includes a shared broadly in a public event.” responses would have lowered his score plans to share with all HLTF members Task Force comprised of principals from in this section, and potentially in the entire and the advisory group for comment.” If the Secretariat and a number of key This information directly contradicts report card. the goal of such information-sharing is to entities, as well as an Advisory Group of findings from key informant interviews obtain input before review or decision by external experts that “should not exceed with U.N. officials over at least the Further, key informant interviews the EC, this sequencing seems to be at 6 members and will meet with the Task last two years, as well as subsequent revealed that the Task Force’s Advisory cross-purposes. Force and at least once with each Working comments by officials from the EOSG Group never met with Task Force and UN Women—both verbally, during a principals or its two co-chairs (USG Ana The Secretary-General’s messaging on meeting about the 2020 report findings, Maria Menéndez and Executive Director of financing for gender equality has also and in writing, in response to a request for UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka). seemingly changed. In his 2018 gender comment about the discrepancy of their This Advisory Group was only formed in mainstreaming report to ECOSOC stated account and that of the Concept late December 2018—despite the fact (E/2018/53), the Secretary-General noted Note. “The S-G was clear from the start that the Executive Committee decided that “an additional $20 million would of the HLTF that this is not about seeking in 2017 to form a Task Force. In such be required system-wide to meet the additional funding on gender to the UN convenings, an Advisory Group is critically targets of the System-Wide Action Plan System,” replied the EOSG. “The language important, as its members can provide (UN-SWAP)” and that “the largest share on incentivizing Member States relates additional perspectives, point to best of resources was required for gender to the role of the UN in linking externally practices outside the system, and provide architecture and parity.”58 However, to encourage donors to spend more on substantive, comprehensive guidance on his 2019 gender mainstreaming report gender (Goal 5) generally themselves system-wide reform that may be difficult (E/2019/54) stated that the Task Force through earmarking and targets—not that for internal participants to embrace. would “establish baselines and assess how it was an advocacy for increasing funding Members of the Advisory Group made a resources may be meaningfully increased on gender to the UN. It is possible that the considerable investment of time reviewing without leveraging additional external Task Force indirectly results in increased report drafts, making recommendations resources”—reflecting a significant shift.59 financing but this is not a direct goal.” On and pushing for the Task Force to While the 2020 report (E/2020/50) does public dissemination of the report, there seek detailed budgeting and SWAP include a breakdown of 2019 SWAP data does seem to be some movement by the information from all of the U.N.’s entities. by entity,60 it indicates that Task Force EOSG, whose response indicates that They received limited information in recommendations “provide practical ways “Eventually, COVID-19 put the public event response and zero opportunity for direct to address current gaps and strengthen on hold. Whether there will be a public engagement with Task Force principals— the resource base for gender equality, event for this will be revisited.” If such an as envisaged in the Concept Note—before including through the implementation of event is hosted, it will be important to the final HLTF report was submitted. an automated Gender Equality Marker 30 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 31

system at the entity and country team of developments in 2020, largely in the Pixabay Teresa Casale/ICRW Vladislav Klapin/Unsplash level. All efforts will be made to accelerate area of civil society engagement—an area implementation by all entities in 2020.”61 of past critique. The Initiative—considered an “SDG model fund” but analyzed in this Alas, although more than two years section due to its committed funds to have passed since the establishment of gender equality—has broadened its reach, the Task Force, the deliberations and expanding its regional presence in 2020 recommendations of the High-Level and funding programs in the Caribbean, Task Force on Financing for Gender Central Asia, the Pacific and other regions. Equality remain largely opaque. The recommendations, implementation plan, Also in 2020, the Initiative launched and any associated progress, strengths or a civil society page on its website, shortfalls are unknown to those outside of providing information for Civil Society the U.N.—and likely limited among those Reference Groups (which are convened at within the system as well. The annexed national, regional and global levels) and twelve staff members, also hosted a series early 2021.68 Responding to the COVID-19 Concept Note reveals an initially strong additional tools and resources.62 At the of learning sessions in November— all pandemic, the Spotlight Initiative has also level of ambition and potential for global level, the Civil Society Reference of which can be accessed online.66 The a Task Force that has, for whatever Group was chosen by a civil society disseminated key messages on violence topics of these learning sessions were reasons, been beset by delays from the selection committee in April 2020, and is against women in this context, and urged determined by a needs assessment envisioned timeline and suffered from composed of 20 representatives involved country teams to “engage national and conducted in September 2020 and include: a decrease in ambition. The Concept in Spotlight’s governance and decision- civil society partners to identify, map Note clearly indicates that, at least initially, making. The members of this group are sharing best practices around local and mitigate COVID-19 risks, and the Task Force was meant to undertake profiled on the webpage, and according to communications strategies, interagency leverage opportunities including asset coordination, innovative access to research and analysis—and to publish the EOSG, DSG Amina Mohammed meets and resource allocations to continue essential services, social norms and its findings and recommendations—in with them regularly. Additional tools and critical service delivery.”69 consultation with civil society experts and resources include guidance on supporting behavior change, and supporting women’s with the goal of using its findings and and protecting women human rights rights movements to achieve a “feminist recommendations to increase financing defenders in their engagement with the funding ecosystem.” Full Funding for UN Women and a for gender equality, very much in line with Spotlight Initiative, released in November Pathway to Financial Transparency Campaign recommendations. Should the 2020, and a Grassroots Action Plan, Another indicator of progress is the The final two areas of the report card’s work of the HLTF evolve as envisioned released in April 2020.63 increasing amount of funding flowing evaluation, on the SG’s efforts to secure in the Concept Note—in a transparent to civil society and women’s rights full funding for U.N. Women and a manner, in consultation with civil society The Grassroots Action Plan fulfills one organizations. According to a summary pathway to financial transparency, had experts and in a manner that resulted in of Spotlight’s commitments announced of Spotlight’s 2019 Global Annual Report mixed results in 2020. While UN Women (the 2020 report has not yet been increased resourcing for gender equality in 2019 and responds to concerns that achieved the internal benchmark of released), the Initiative dedicated 50 (all of which is outlined in the Concept funds are not reaching grassroots, funding of $500 million this year (civil 64 percent of 2019 programmatic funds to Note) the SG’s scores on this section of the feminist actors. The Plan’s objective is to society campaigned for $1 billion), the SG report card would have likely been much “guide Spotlight Country Teams on how civil society. 82 percent of these funds has continued to resist calls to support higher the past two years running. to fully utilize the existing U.N. policies supported grassroots organizations. more funding for the agency. And while and procedures to better reach and Of that 82 percent, 88 percent of funds the steps taken to document funding Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate engage local and grassroots organizations were committed to “women-led or 67 parameters and allocations in the MPTF Violence Against Women and Girls in the Spotlight Initiative as recipients women’s rights/feminist organizations.” The other existing mechanism in which the of funding (implementing partners, The Spotlight Initiative is also making for COVID-19 Response and Recovery SG has exercised leadership on matters grantees and vendors).” It is described as progress with regard to transparency, and Spotlight Initiative are laudable and of financing for gender equality, the a “living document” that will be updated making available a full list of its civil increased scoring over previous years, this European Union (EU)-funded Spotlight as Spotlight Country Teams and Agency society partners, as well as an analysis progress was undermined by his office’s Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Focal Points discover best practices.65 of approved program budgets; the continued lack of transparency around the Women and Girls, has also seen a number The Spotlight Secretariat, composed of breakdown for 2020 will be posted in High-Level Task Force, as discussed above. 32 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 33

FOUR challenge in reaching parity is in our field WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE: UTILIZE FEMINIST missions, where the challenges to gender 2020 OVERALL parity are the most pervasive and the rate GRADE: B+ LEADERSHIP: PARITY + of change the slowest. Having women at 2019: B+ In 2019, we wrote that the SG’s progress on Such progress has not been observed in the 73 RIGHTS PROTECTIONS the helm can undoubtedly help.” 2018: A- this agenda was at risk of stalling out, and SG’s efforts with regard to the High-Level 2017: B+ cited a fraught funding context as a primary Task Force on Financing for Gender Equality, Key informant interviews further revealed threat. The U.N. faced extreme funding which continues to lag, or in his support for SECTION 4A: Parity the Secretary-General’s commitment shortfalls and budget cuts impacted staffing, full funding for UN Women, two critical areas Progress to date: to gender parity. One key informant fanning flames of internal opposition to of focus for the Campaign. We regret that SECTION 4A Since taking office, achieving gender parity pointed out that Guterres often pushes associated efforts, like the SG’s focus on the level of ambition for the HLTF seems to back on recruitment of men, asking, has been one of the Secretary-General’s 2020 GRADE: A gender parity. In this context, it would “why couldn’t you choose a woman?” In 2019: A have so precipitously decreased, and that its primary areas of focus. Guterres launched stand to reason that the onset of a global 2019, the SG issued a memo reinstating 2018: A findings and recommendations continue to the System-wide Strategy on Gender pandemic and associated economic shocks, a staff administrative instruction from 2017: A- be cloaked in secrecy despite keen interest Parity in 2017, aiming to achieve gender combined with the strain associated with 1999 (ST/AI/1999/9) that was not and original intent to publicly disseminate parity across the U.N. system by 2028. increased funding needed to address it, adequately implemented.74 As a result, all them for transparency, impact and learning. In 2019, the U.N. attained gender parity could well have sealed this fate entirely. departments lacking gender parity would We urge the Secretary-General to reembrace in its Senior Management Group and have to submit to the EOSG an explanation the original, stated scope and ambition of among its Resident Coordinators, who are Our review finds the opposite:that the SG for their decision to hire a man. According the Task Force. At a minimum, Guterres designated by the Secretary-General to has used the crisis and its gendered toll to comments shared by the EOSG, in 2020, should direct the HLTF to meet with its lead U.N. Country Teams. And on January to step up his efforts in this area, not only this was updated and brought in line Advisory Group, as well as representatives 1, 2020, it reached gender parity among all rhetorically emphasizing the importance with current staff selection procedures. ASGs and USGs, not including specialized of a gender lens to response and recovery from the U.N.’s entities, to discuss the The EOSG considers this one of the most agencies.70 In his remarks to the Group efforts, by mandating such an approach recommendations and implementation important advancements in this area, as of Friends on Gender Parity, Guterres for projects in his new COVID-19 Response plan, and subsequently host the originally- it aligns with CEDAW’s call for the use of and Recovery Fund, which has the conceived, public event disclosing the Task pointed out that the U.N. has achieved full Temporary Special Measures to achieve potential to direct significant resources Force’s findings, recommendations and the gender parity where “leaders are either women’s equal representation (also a to advance gender equality. With the U.N.’s implementation plan. appointed by me or elected by the General priority area for the SG’s Call to Action for 71 funding crisis expected to persist in coming Assembly under my recommendation.” Human Rights). The EOSG reports that years, the Secretary-General’s leadership But a minimum is not what will be required However, positions elected by member this guidance is now being implemented to both maximize existing resources, and in 2021, his final year of his first term, a year states, thereby outside the SG’s purview, consistently across the board. are still largely held by men. mobilize new funds, is ever more pressing. still marked by crisis and a campaign year as he seeks a second term. This is a time In 2019, Guterres also introduced the Another area that lags behind is field The Secretary-General should continue for bold leadership; the SG should make Enabling Environment Guidelines for to both talk the talk and walk the walk appointments. Field missions are expected financing for a gender-equitable recovery a the U.N. system (EEGs), which provide on financing for gender equality—in U.N. to undergo downsizing over the next few cornerstone commitment of his campaign. guidance on workplace flexibility, initiatives, country action plans and also for months and years, making this particularly family-friendly policies and standards Doubtless he would find donors eager to UN Women as the lead gender equality- important. Guterres has attempted of conduct— aiming to transform the partner with him, and recommendations focused agency. The Secretary-General to make inroads in this demographic, U.N.’s organizational culture into one from his own Task Force able to facilitate should also adhere to this messaging in his including by issuing a Global Call for that is more gender-equitable.75 To the path forward. As we requested last bilateral meetings with Heads of State and nominations in 2017 and 2019 that sought commemorate the first anniversary of the Ministers, as well as in his deliberations with year, Guterres should use the findings and a diverse pool of candidates for leadership EEGs, the Vienna-based Organizations’ International Financial Institutions (IFIs). His recommendations of the Task Force to issue positions as Special Representatives of Gender Focal Points convened an Enabling Women Economist Roundtable series set a calls to new donors, particularly those with the Secretary-General (SRSGs) and Deputy Environment Week. They hosted virtual positive precedent for imagining an inclusive progressive governments and hold up his Special Representatives of the Secretary- dialogues on the key themes of the EEGs, economy in COVID-19 recovery, and such own efforts via the COVID-19 Response and General (DSRGs).72 Guterres called upon as well as concerns and barriers facing efforts must be continued and amplified Recovery Fund as a model to encourage the Group of Friends to increase their field and LBGTIQ+ staff.76 Key informants in 2021. similar efforts to mandate a focus on gender. nominations, explaining, “Our greatest also revealed that the Secretary- 34 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 35

General asks his leadership team for However, despite this progress, key women’s leadership and inclusion with human rights organizations.78 This is a gender parity updates every month. He informants highlighted several concerns. advancements in gender equality more promising development that links gender SECTION 4B frequently references gender parity and First is the perception that only areas broadly. Another key critique offered equality with the human rights framework, 2020 GRADE: C+ women’s leadership in his speeches— under the Secretary-General’s direct by a key informant was that Guterres’s a key Campaign concern, and would do 2019: C+ demonstrating continued pride and purview have achieved gender parity, and definition of gender parity does not much to advance gender mainstreaming 2018: B interest in this area. that the wider system lacks accountability. seem to include genders beyond men throughout the system. Widespread 2017: B Guterres is clearly aware of this, based and women—to the exclusion of promotion and implementation of the Call To address gender parity in peace on his commentary at the Group of people of other genders, and LGBTIQ+ to Action, and public progress reporting operations, Guterres established a Friends meeting and efforts to make populations worldwide. thereof, will be a valuable accountability Working Group on Emergency Measures. resources and pressure available to tool to advance and cement progress This group focuses on “rosters, encourage parity in areas outside his SECTION 4B: Rights Protections moving forward. downsizing, recruitment, retirement, control. While parity has been achieved Progress to date: talent management, retention and among senior management, Guterres Since the SG’s launch of the Call to Action mission conditions.” While this Working pointed out that a gender gap persists The Feminist U.N. Campaign has been on Human Rights, the EOSG and OHCHR Group seeks to enhance parity under between P3 to D1 levels. He noted that analyzing the Secretary-General’s efforts the U.N.’s current policies, Guterres is “we are making concerted efforts across to promote and protect women’s rights also seeking to improve the system’s all entities to address the imbalance,” both inside and outside of the U.N. UN SECRETARIAT GENDER PARITY DASHBOARD regulatory frameworks. In his remarks to including working with gender focal points system for four years running. These International staff, overall balance: the Group of Friends on Gender Parity, and asking member states to approve include system-wide responses to sexual Guterres pushed for amendments to of gender as a criteria in recruitment harassment, abuse and exploitation, as the Staff Regulations and Rules that and retention.77 According to comments well as more gender-equitable staff and would encourage greater gender parity from the EOSG, the U.N. system is on human resource policies. (but which are subject to member state track to achieving gender parity at approval and therefore not within his headquarters by the target year of 2028, Progress in this area in 2020 included the immediate power). but there remains significant discrepancy SG’s launch of a Call to Action for Human globally. The Secretary-General’s outlined Rights to support global human rights efforts—the Global Call, the Working policies and implementation. The Guiding The picture that emerges in 2020 Group on Emergency Measures, Enabling Principles of the Call to Action state that is another year of continued Environment Guidelines and Temporary “realizing gender equality underpins every focus on this area for the SG, Special Measures—all seek to amend element” of its mandate. In its standalone this gap, and bring the system closer to section on gender equality, it asserts that who is on-track or ahead of coherence and overall parity. “Globally, we are witnessing a pushback schedule in achieving parity against the realization of human rights of Like previous years, key informants also women, alarming levels of femicide, attacks in all domains in which he has expressed concern that the Secretary- on women human rights defenders, as authority, and clearly thinking General risks conflating gender parity well as laws and policies that discriminate.” creatively about how to enable with gender equality. One U.N. staff In response, it commits the U.N. to six member pointed out that Guterres’s key actions: (1) engaging with member and advance parity in domains initial push on gender parity took away states to support gender-equitable laws where he does not. from the gender equality agenda as it and policies, (2) ensuring adequate “struggled to get people to understand protection for women, (3) incorporating According to comments shared by the that gender equality is beyond just having a “gender lens” in all U.N. engagement EOSG, the SG also requested in December women.” As discussed, the Secretary- and decision-making, (4) integrating that every U.N. entity (not just the General often pivots to speaking about gender analysis in all conflict prevention Secretariat) share updates in January 2021 his achievements in gender parity when and resolution efforts, (5) improving risk on implementation progress of the Gender promoting gender equality. While the U.N. analysis and early warning methodology This image is from the U.N. Secretariat Gender Parity Dashboard. It Parity Strategy—ensuring some level of has undoubtedly progressed in this area, to recognize violence against women, shows progress on gender parity in international staff positions, by follow-up and accountability. Guterres must take care not to conflate and (6) regularly consulting with women’s level, as of December 2020. 36 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 37

have begun formulating concrete actions General was particularly vocal about the rhetorical frame from the global women’s of the Model Code of Conduct, aiming and interventions in two areas: amending harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic movement problematizing levels of military to prevent harassment and assault in discriminatory laws and increasing the on exacerbating violence against women. expenditure, which “saw its largest annual U.N. events.84 use of Temporary Special Measures This year, he issued a call for a global increase in a decade” in 2019, as compared (TSMs) to advance women’s participation ceasefire—asking all parties to halt conflict to investments in violence prevention, The Secretary-General outlined a system- across society. According to information so that the world could focus on defeating human rights and peace. Having the wide strategy to prevent and respond provided by the EOSG, key actions COVID-19. A week later, he also called for world’s top diplomat assert that “weapons to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) include developing system-wide guidance “peace at home,” urging governments do not make us safer”82 is a strong (A/71/818) in 2017, most recently and strategies on both eliminating to “make the prevention and redress of reinforcement of an advocacy message reviewed in February 2020 (A/74/705). discriminatory laws and promoting TSMs, violence against women a key part of their the global women’s and peace movements A U.N.-issued fact sheet (last updated developing key messages around both national response plans for COVID-19.”79 have been asserting for decades. December 18, 2020) tracks system-wide themes to encourage advocacy, designing This call for peace in the home, supported initiatives undertaken in support of this a dashboard on good practices to track by 146 member states and observers, In previous years, the Secretary-General’s strategy over the past several years. progress and engaging with U.N. human draws upon previous themes of the 16 response to issues of sexual harassment, Among these initiatives, in 2020, OHCHR rights mechanisms to advance global Days of Activism Against Gender-Based abuse and exploitation emerged as a major led preparations for a U.N. policy on a attention. This intervention seeks to Violence—an international, civil society- focus of his leadership agenda in this area “human rights-based approach” to SEA and advance the U.N.’s engagement with civil led campaign linking human rights and of our report card. Strikingly, this year, that the Victims’ Rights Advocate (appointed society, women’s rights organizations, violence against women.80 A total of 180 focus had all but disappeared: there was in 2017) continued drafting a statement parliaments and national authorities. countries endorsed Guterres’s global stalled progress in issuing major initiatives and complementary guidelines for U.N. According to the EOSG, these processes ceasefire call, as well as civil society and carrying out implementation, and personnel on centralizing victims’ rights have begun moving forward and work organizations, global citizens and regional he made fewer references to it in public in all U.N. prevention and response plans are in place for the coming months. organizations.81 When briefing the U.N. speeches, unless contextualized around efforts. The Victims’ Rights Advocate also Security Council in October, furthermore, conflict, peace and security. The Secretary- completed a mapping of existing victims’ As discussed in Section 1, the Secretary- Guterres took on board a strong General barely spoke about sexual rights approaches/services across the harassment and bullying within the U.N. U.N. system, identifying key gaps and system, which continues to be a major challenges. The fact sheet outlines U.N. concern for staff and advocates. entities’ efforts to streamline accountability systems and promote greater transparency In 2017, the Chief Executives Board (CEB) and accessibility around prevention established the Task Force on Sexual and reporting efforts. In 2020, various Harassment. This resulted in the Model U.N. entities continued communications Policy on Sexual Harassment, encouraging campaigns around SEA and led individual agencies to develop their own policies. and inter-agency agency efforts and The U.N. also formed a team of all-women consultations on the issue, particularly in investigators in the Office of Internal the context of COVID-19.85 Oversight Services. A “Clear Check” system, established in 2018, prevents Key informant interviews, as well as our any staff member with a history of sexual analysis of speeches, nonetheless point to harassment, abuse and exploitation from slowed progress in responding to sexual being re-hired. In 2019, Guterres issued a harassment, exploitation and abuse in bulletin (ST/SGB/2019/8) on discrimination, 2020. Key informants pointed out the harassment and abuse of authority— SG’s continued support for this issue in granting the Model Policy increased meetings of the Chief Executive Board, visibility.83 The Task Force also developed but the momentum we reported on in a set of 14 criteria advising the U.N. system our previous report cards around rooting on how to respond to allegations of out misconduct, particularly in the wake misconduct, support reporters and address of the #MeToo and #AidToo movements,

Photo credit: Kyle Glenn/Unsplash concerns. This culminated in the drafting has stalled. 38 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 39

Key informant interviews pointed out that, Harassers may continue to make all support to the Secretary-General in despite these efforts over the past few inappropriate comments and demands this matter.”91 However, key informants years, sexual harassment remains a key online, exploit women’s personal argue that the SG’s 2020 report to the issue. The culture of power and privilege information or exclude them from key Security Council (S/2020/946) falls short pervades the U.N. system, requiring a meetings and discussions.88 With less of meeting the UNSCR 2493 request major cultural shift. In an article in Devex, oversight and accountability, abusers can for “full implementation” of the WPS former UNAIDS employees Claudia escape or more easily excuse retaliation. agenda. In this report, the Secretary- Ahumada and Malayah Harper reiterated The SG should incorporate a focus on General reiterates a series of directives a perennial critique of the Feminist U.N. these issues in system-wide efforts to and recommendations, and instructs Campaign: meaningful progress and address SEA and harassment in the U.N.’s that these will be tracked annually by accountability for crimes is unlikely when digital workplace moving forward. the Executive Committee. However, “the U.N. investigates and reports to these are only tied to six priority areas itself. By being both party and judge of The issue of sexual harassment, and ten priority actions elucidated in U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers Teresa Casale/ICRW the proceedings, establishing both the exploitation and abuse continues to his 2019 report (S/2019/800), as well as rules and their application, and failing to permeate the U.N.’s peacekeeping seventeen additional recommendations, have the expertise to support survivors operations. In January, Skye Wheeler of rather than the full universe of 196 in a meaningful way and in the throughout the process, the internal U.N. Human Rights Watch pressed that “it’s technical recommendations outlined as development and advancement of justice system can hardly be called justice crucial that the U.N., the media and civil implementation gaps in the 2015 Global national peacebuilding priorities.” 86 at all.” They point out that the U.N. is society groups continue to exert pressure Study on the Implementation of UNSCR • As part of the Call to Action for Human not required to release the findings of on countries that contribute peacekeepers 1325, widely considered to be the most Rights, the Secretary-General urged any investigations, and that the system to respond to abuse allegations more comprehensive picture of implementation member states to institute quotas and 89 is “designed to let these cases die a slow seriously and more transparently.” gaps for the WPS Agenda.92 Additionally, TSMs to enhance women’s roles in and silent death.” One key informant also With known cases of abuse in Haiti, the 2020 report does not delineate decision-making. pointed out that the U.N.’s contractual Somalia, Central African Republic and the progress or shortfalls in meeting these • The Women and Peace and Security mechanisms have significant disparity. Democratic Republic of Congo—among actions and recommendations specifically, Focal Points Network hosted a special Having people in constant fear of losing others—the Secretary-General must make nor does it outline progress under each session in May 2020 on accelerating WPS their jobs effectively prevents reporting. the most of his leadership platform to seek of the six key areas identified in the SG’s reform and accountability in this area.90 in the COVID-19 era. 2019 report. Indeed, according to a Guardian article • The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian dated December 22, 2020, Purna Sen, 2020 marked the 20th anniversary of Albeit “selective,” there is a good deal of Fund launched a “rapid response the UN Women official tasked with this U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) progress outlined in the SG’s 2020 report window on the participation of portfolio, stepped down in protest, fearing 1325 on Women, Peace and Security that merits mention: women in peace processes and the the effort had lost priority. “I have grave (WPS). As such, 2020 was expected to implementation of peace agreements.” concerns about the direction of travel be a banner year for progress on the • The Department of Political and In 2019, the SG had asked member that was so clear in previous years. WPS agenda. But key informants argue Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) started states to support this Fund’s goal of There was a big drive to tackle sexual that progress continues to lag, and that organizing high-level strategy meetings reaching $40 million by the end of 2020. harassment in 2017-2018, but these issues the Secretary-General has, through on inclusive peace processes—the first This year’s report indicates that “the appear to have been put on the back his mandated reports to the Security of which was held in April and focused target has not only been surpassed, burner,” she said.87 Council, demonstrated only “selective” on Yemen. DPPA also adopted a revised but thanks to the increased support, implementation of this agenda, falling gender marker system to integrate the Fund has been able to quadruple short of the full implementation that was WPS into its “extrabudgetary project the number of grass-roots civil society Particularly in the context of the called for. formulation and planning.” organizations reached by funding.” COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to In UNSCR 2493 (2019), the Security Council • A group of U.N. entities completed • The Peacebuilding Fund’s Gender and point out that virtual work and working “requests the Secretary-General to ensure a review of the U.N.’s peacebuilding Youth Promotion Initiative added two the full implementation of the Women, architecture, which found that “many WPS priorities: women’s participation from home does not necessarily mean that Peace and Security agenda,” and asks national and local actors, in particular and leadership, and protecting women workplace harassment has disappeared. the leaders of all U.N. entities to “lend women, were still not always engaged peacebuilders and human rights 40 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 41

defenders. Standing Committee on Women and the hallmark, 20th anniversary year of the WPS monitoring and accountability • The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Peace and Security to “promote alignment UNSCR 1325. These critiques are that, framework is outdated, but without the U.N.’s senior-most position on and strengthen the existing monitoring (1) the SG has narrowed the scope of the directing the system to make the required humanitarian issues, recognized framework”—but falls short of providing WPS agenda to a set of key actions and updates, thereby misses an opportunity additional details on timeline, strategy recommendations without adequate gender-based violence among four to deliver on the “full implementation” and reporting. justification for why they were prioritized strategic funding priorities. However, with which the Security Council tasked over the remaining elements, (2) the the Secretary-General’s report points him, and (4) the SG recognizes the decline out that “less than 10 percent of the It is also important to point out that the Executive Committee is supposed to in civil society participation in Security funding called for in order to respond onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with track implementation of these actions Council convenings, but must exert greater to gender-based violence as part of the its resulting suspension of meetings and recommendations, but the SG’s 2020 leadership to increase and guarantee global humanitarian response plan for and shift to online convenings, further report fails to provide updates thereof, (3) COVID-19 has been received.” restricted civil society access to Security ten years on, the SG acknowledges that their involvement. Council deliberations. The SG’s 2020 report • In response to the SG’s call for increased acknowledges this shortfall, stating: engagement with civil society and local communities, a U.N. civil society working group developed “system-wide “There was also a record number community engagement guidelines to of briefers from civil society support country-specific and local-level community engagement strategies on in 2019, but the number building and sustaining peace.”93 plummeted in the first half of 2020 after the COVID-19 To the point of tracking implementation, key informants also point out that the pandemic forced the Council U.N.’s indicators on WPS are a decade to suspend regular meetings. old, and have yet to be updated. The SG The advice of those briefers, acknowledges this in his 2020 report to while often welcomed and the U.N. Security Council, stating that the current monitoring and accountability praised, was rarely followed by framework, outlined in 2010 (S/2010/498) robust action.” Ilyass Seddoug/Unsplash Jason Leung/Unsplash Glenn Carstens Peters/Unplash and based on UNSCR 1325, “must be updated.”94 As he explains, the past ten Civil society organizations have called years witnessed “relevance of issues upon the Security Council to reverse this such as the climate crisis, pandemics, “pattern of exclusion” and “live up to misogynist extremism, the growing power its own promises” of championing the of private corporations and the role of new essential role of civil society in all conflict technologies,” as well as several new U.N. prevention, peace and humanitarian agendas and frameworks. processes. The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security argues that While the Secretary-General recognizes the Security Council’s lack of action in that the existing monitoring and prioritizing civil society engagement in accountability framework is outdated, key the COVID-19 era demonstrates “not informants argue that his 2020 report to merely technical challenges but a lack of the Security Council does not propose political will.”95 any new or updated mechanisms to track more comprehensive implementation. In sum, the SG’s reports outline some It merely indicates that a “dedicated progress but fall short of the level of task force” has been set up under the ambition key informants expected for 42 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 43

WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE:

SECTION 4A: Parity participation and build support for • Implement standard disciplinary on the incremental progress made in the gender equality. measures; women and peace and security agenda, By all accounts, year after year the SG continues to score well in this area, and • Utilize common definitions and move beyond incremental to wholesale has achieved the goals he set for himself SECTION 4B: Rights Protections coordination across various offices, implementation, and make an all-out effort ahead of schedule. While barriers continue In 2020, the Secretary-General brought agencies and entities, such as ethics to address the remaining challenges with to exist, most of these are beyond his direct significant focus to the issue of offices, the ombudsman, human vigour and steadfast commitment.”96 We control and he is clearly creatively imagining violence against women in the context resources departments, etc. urge Secretary-General Guterres to do ways to chip away at them. of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has exactly this, accelerating full implementation prioritized gender issues in his Call to The Model Policy on Sexual Harassment of the WPS agenda—and taking into His final year is an opportunity to go even Action for Human Rights—supporting should be reviewed and evaluated regularly, consideration all Security Council requests further. 2021 offers a chance to exhibit the gender-equitable laws and policies, with consistent data collection taking place and U.N. review processes undertaken since same level of leadership on behalf of other gender analysis and consultation with to measure effectiveness, including in the the issuing of UNSCR 1325. His 2021 report demographic areas that could benefit from women’s human rights groups, the virtual workplace. All agencies across the to the Council should mandate a time-bound a similar level of ambition: elevating leaders full implementation of which would system should adopt the policy and fully and promoting pathways to attract, retain implementation plan that addresses all 196 represent transformative progress in institutionalize it. System-wide efforts should and advance people from a diversity of recommendations for which action is still the U.N. system. also be made to bring greater awareness and backgrounds with regard to race, ethnicity, needed from the 2015 Global Study, as well adherence to the Code of Conduct on U.N. sexual orientation and gender identity, as any other developments that merit note However, the lack of rhetorical and policy Events, along with 100 percent system-wide among others. The leadership exhibited by since its publication. attention to rooting out sexual harassment, participation in the Clear Check program. the Vienna-based institutions including a exploitation and abuse in 2020—which had The U.N. must adapt its sexual harassment focus on barriers for LGBTIQ+ staff in their been a central focus for the SG in previous Furthermore, Secretary-General Guterres response to meet this new virtual working Enabling Environment Week is an example years of our review—is noticeable. Looking format, ensuring online safety, protection should ensure that, as virtual meetings of a promising practice that merits ahead to 2021,we call on the Secretary- and accountability. It can also apply its Code continue into 2021, women civil society replication throughout the system and in General to revisit and redouble these of Conduct to virtual events and convenings representatives and human rights defenders the SG’s own efforts in 2021. efforts, including expanding them to to guarantee that all participants are aware are given adequate time and opportunity address the digital workplace that will of the U.N.’s zero tolerance policies. to speak in Security Council deliberations. Additionally, the U.N. must continue to continue to be part of our lived reality for Secretary-General Guterres must reverse the advance cultural sensitivity around gender 2021 and likely beyond. parity and gender equality issues. As one Also, it is essential to note that the issues of trend of a declining number of civil society harassment “internal” to the United Nations key informant pointed out, some U.N. staff In his fifth year, the Secretary-General briefers to the Security Council, ensuring and abuse and exploitation “external” to the still perceive gender parity as a threat to should double down on vocal and direct that civil society representatives are invited U.N. being treated as parallel and distinct is a men’s career prospects—instead of a right actions to support meaningful accountability to all thematic open debates, country- false binary. These issues reflect a continuum to a more inclusive workplace. In his rhetoric and survivor-centered approaches to end specific meetings, informal briefings and side of violence, with the common denominator and action, the Secretary-General must also all forms of gender-based violence, events—including those hosted via virtual being U.N. perpetrators against individuals be careful not to conflate advancements including and beyond harassment, teleconferencing. As the NGO Working Group in gender parity with achievements in both inside and outside of the system. This ensuring that efforts: on Women, Peace and Security recommends, gender equality more broadly. While is one of the most important reasons it is the Security Council must direct that these advancing women’s representation in critical that the patriarchal and hierarchical • Consult survivors in any systematic way briefers are “selected and supported by civil the U.N. is important and overdue, parity culture of the U.N. be acknowledged and or include survivor consultation in a society organizations, and not only hand- does not necessarily signify ideological systematic and meaningful way; impunity addressed. and structural change. Furthermore, as we picked by Security Council members,” and called for last year, the Secretary-General • Require appropriate standards of proof; On WPS issues, the Secretary-General’s that their recommendations are “acted upon must also engage with staff unions and • Include minimum protections from 2020 report to the Security Council insists: in all outcome documents and statements” their representatives to increase women’s retaliation; “More than ever before we must build and adequately tracked.97 44 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 45

FIVE which he has held at every CSW since modalities for civil society participation equality. It’s problematic to look at it this 2020 GRADE: C ENABLE A FEMINIST 2017, was held nonetheless, although it in CSW have remained the same over the way when they don’t have the capacity, 2019: C+ was postponed to August. While some years, and that space is still limited despite resourcing and staffing.” While applauding 2018: C TRANSFORMATION FOR CSW feminists commended the Secretary- an opportunity to design it differently the Secretary-General’s elevation of UN 2017: C AND UN WOMEN General for committing to the town hall in light of the pandemic. Like previous Women in this and past years, there despite CSW’s cancellation, others pointed years, they pointed out the need for was little progress in 2020 in working to Progress to date: out that “there wasn’t much dialogue” large-scale reform, especially as the forum increase the agency’s capacity so that it is, between civil society representations and is “so NY-focused” that it overshadows in the words of the U.N., “fit for purpose.” This area was one in which the SG’s score the SG, different platforms for web access global participation and engagement. went down in 2020, largely due to stalled “didn’t allow equal access for everyone,” While, unlike HLPF, the timing of the CSW A major focus of the agency in 2020—and support for UN Women and shortfalls and the event felt “a bit pre-cooked,” as would not have allowed a redesign via a due to the pandemic, now also continuing in promoting greater engagement with though it was decided beforehand which virtual platform for broader, global civil into 2021—is hosting the Generation women’s civil society—due in no small representatives would get the opportunity society engagement as the pandemic Equality Forum (GEF), a one-year delayed part to the coincidence of the onset of the to speak. was unfolding just as CSW was supposed 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration global pandemic and lockdowns affecting to convene, activists’ calls for a delayed and Platform for Action. According to a travel and in-person consultations. For Some civil society representatives felt that CSW or convening on the margins of key informant interview, the Secretary- this report card, we decided not to the Political Declaration failed to address HLPF or another forum could have been General has asked UN Women to brief grade the SG on the extent to which he key issues, like the rights and inclusion accommodated. Barring this, the virtual the Executive Committee, the Deputies’ “increased amount and scope of civil of adolescent girls, and expressed modalities for CSW in 2021 have been Committee and the Senior Management society participation at CSW” since the frustration that the cancellation of CSW determined months in advance, and offer team on more than one occasion about event was largely suspended. In previous was not rectified. For example, Plan an opportunity to plan well in advance a GEF and the Beijing anniversary to years, this was included among our scoring International released a statement that virtual platform that can expand—rather encourage interagency interest, and criteria for Section 5, but we determined the “2020 political declaration reflects the than restrict—civil society engagement. desires to take part in commemorations that the circumstances of CSW in 2020 unwillingness of Member States to fully and intergenerational leadership. would prevent an adequate assessment embrace gender equality as a human With regard to UN Women, the other of this area. Therefore, we graded the rights issue.”98 The Women’s Rights subject of the Campaign’s focus in this However, his direct engagement with SG on the remaining two criteria for Caucus, a global coalition of more than 200 area, once again no major progress was the GEF proceedings has been limited. this Section: encouraging a focus on organizations that lobbies the CSW, issued noted in 2020. While Secretary-General Guterres can use his leadership platform women’s rights and gender equality in its own Feminist Declaration “recognizing Guterres has elevated UN Women’s role to make up for a continued lack of outcome documents and proceedings, that several member states lack political in senior leadership, creating space on interagency interest, and prompt greater and supporting a more transparent and courage or will to commit to an ambitious the Executive Committee and drawing momentum around GEF and the outcomes plural advisory council for UN Women. political declaration 25 years after the upon technical expertise, there were of its Action Coalitions—both among U.N. The grades from these subcomponents Fourth World Conference on Women.”99 few new developments in 2020, with the agencies and member states. One key were averaged, and the CSW criterion was While the Political Declaration is a product exception of including UN Women in the informant pointed out that the October left negligible. of member state deliberations, the Advisory Committee to the COVID-19 1, 2020 Heads of State meeting convened Secretary-General can endorse key issues Response and Recovery Fund, the on the Beijing Declaration anniversary Due to public health concerns around the raised by civil society, express support attributes of which have been explored felt rather “lackluster,” wherein very COVID-19 pandemic, the 64th session of for progressive governments and call for in the financing section. few member states made significant the Commission on the Status of Women greater collaboration with civil society, new commitments, and many spoke (CSW) proceeded only with opening feminist and grassroots groups. However, the agency itself remains about achievements instead of candidly statements and adoption of the draft underfunded—and the Secretary-General highlighting areas that can be improved. Political Declaration. The general debate, This year, 45 percent of survey participants continued in 2020, as in all previous including the interactive session, and reported feeling dissatisfied or very years, not to publicly advocate for the all side events were canceled, severely dissatisfied with the Secretary-General’s level of member state budgetary support constraining two of the main avenues for efforts to engage with and respond to UN Women that it has been long- civil society participation in the forum. to concerns of civil society about CSW promised. As one key informant put The Secretary-General’s town hall with (n=40)—compared to about 36 percent last it, “It’s deceptive for the system to see women’s civil society representatives, year (n=45). Key informants lamented that UN Women as a watchdog for gender 46 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 47

SIX the money and what programme results WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE: were achieved.”103 UN Women’s COVID-19 2020 GRADE: B- PROMOTE THE FREEDOM and gender monitor dashboard detailing 2019: C- OF INFORMATION IN gender equality indicators is also a step 2018: C- This area of our agenda held the least with the SG in strengthening financing and THE U.N. SYSTEM forward in this area for the year 2020, as is 2017: D+ progress in 2020, directly impacted architecture to support women’s human UNDP’s Global Gender Response Tracker by the pandemic and, perhaps, falling rights and gender equality. Progress to date: which tracks government policies to address down on the priorities list in a year like the impacts of COVID-19 on women, namely no other. It is therefore incumbent on The Feminist U.N. Campaign considers As virtual convenings are expected to “women’s economic and social security, the SG to focus with great urgency and freedom of information to be a feminist continue into 2021, we urge Guterres including unpaid care work, the labour intention here in his final year, which issue, especially when much of the and U.N. leadership to take up the “Open market and violence against women.”104 will coincide with the now-delayed Call for Strong and Inclusive Civil Society information we seek to document on Generation Equality Forum, a major Engagement at U.N. Virtual Meetings,” the status and advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in the U.N. Data on gender equality and related issues is platform for his leadership on this initiated by the Women’s Major Group system and the world more broadly is agenda and partnership with UN Women: and endorsed by members of the Major often difficult to obtain, and such information difficult to come by. The U.N. itself has 105 Groups and Other Stakeholders.101 The can inform inclusive policy development. long been criticized for its archaic and Events like the Town Hall must be held Open Call asks U.N. agencies and member bureaucratic structures; its complexity and Our civil society survey shows mixed, consistently throughout each year, and states to consult civil society before decentralization have prevented system- albeit positive, views on the availability of must accommodate global participation. finalizing engagement mechanisms, wide monitoring, coherence, data collection information on the U.N.’s activities online. Virtual events can be held frequently, to provide financial and technological and at timings more accommodating to and accountability. Of 69 respondents, 61 percent agree assistance to groups less likely to have broader engagement; the SG must not or strongly agree with the statement “I digital access and to prevent intimidation miss this opportunity in 2021. While the One of the few tools for collection, analysis know how to find information about the of human rights defenders—among other Secretary-General made several references and public reporting of gender equality U.N.’s activities in my country,” while 20 recommendations. to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for efforts, the System-Wide Action Plan on percent disagree or strongly disagree Action in his speeches, he made few direct Gender Equality and the Empowerment and 17 percent are neutral. Likewise, 68 In the lead up to the 65th session of the CSW, references to the GEF, which would benefit of Women (SWAP), remains largely percent agree or strongly agree with the 66 civil society organizations have reiterated from his platform in raising awareness underutilized despite its ambitions to statement “Sufficient information about a similar call, which has been organized among U.N. agencies and member states. mainstream gender across the U.N. system. the U.N.’s activities is available online,” by the Women’s Rights Caucus. They ask The Secretary-General should continue However, in 2020 it was incorporated in while 13 percent disagree or strongly for a task force comprised of regionally participating in high-level events amplifying the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund disagree and 15 percent are neutral. Of 70 diverse feminist organizations who can the GEF, like September’s UN Women-led and represents a real step forward for the respondents, 61 percent agree or strongly event on gender-based violence, during select speakers for all CSW panels and collection and publication of gender data, as agree with the statement “I know how to which the Gender-Based Violence Action negotiations, reasonable accommodations outlined in Section 3. find information about the U.N.’s activities Coalition issued a call to action urging for all participants and mechanisms to at its headquarters (New York and Geneva),” all actors to respond to the multiple enable early dialogue around the Agreed Another indication of progress in this while 19 percent disagree or strongly 102 forms of GBV exacerbated in the COVID-19 Conclusions. This, in combination with the area in 2020 was the COVID-19 Response disagree and 16 percent are neutral. Lastly, pandemic.100 Furthermore, he must, recommendations articulated in previous and Recovery Fund, which is setting an 43 percent agree or strongly agree with the finally and frequently, reiterate the need for sections with regard to how to increase example for greater transparency in funding statement “I am able to contact U.N. staff financial support for UN Women— global civil society participation and access initiatives. Established in April, the Fund has in my country if I seek more information,” one of our Campaign’s founding and to virtual forums like the HLPF, would go a already published an interim report, and is while 20 percent disagree or strongly unmet recommendations. As UN Women’s long way toward improving the SG’s score legally obligated to issue an annual report disagree and 33 percent are neutral. It is Executive Director completes her term in in this area, as would his full and unfettered on May 31, 2021. As pointed out, the fund important to point out that respondents to 2021, we also call upon the SG to support support for full funding for UN Women and publishes all “commitments, deposits and our civil society survey mostly engage in the an inclusive, transparent selection process feminist civil society organizations, perhaps allocations in real-time” on the MPTF Office U.N. in some capacity, so such perceptions with adequate civil society input. This as his own commitment to the Feminist website, and all U.N. agencies involved of the U.N. system may be different among process should result in the selection of a Movements and Leadership Action Coalition in program implementation must issue those organizations and grassroots actors strong leader of the agency who can partner at the upcoming Generation Equality Forum. detailed reports on “how they have spent that are more distantly situated, albeit 48 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 49

important actors in human rights and interviews; otherwise, they are closed to sustainable development processes. public comment and perception. WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE:

On the other hand, as pointed out in And finally, the pandemic-imposed shift to The SG made progress in this accessible—including Executive Committee Section 3, the findings of the High-Level online meetings did not necessarily make area in 2020, most notably in the discussions and outcomes from the High- Task Force on Financing for Gender Equality information or political processes more advancements in information and Level Task Force on Financing for Gender still have yet to be released, one year later. accessible. Despite the potential the move access associated with his COVID-19 Equality. And as meetings continue to take Despite a few examples of comparatively to virtual meetings holds for increased civil transparent, regularly-updated systems— Response and Recovery Fund. These place online, the Secretary-General should society access and input, some reported are important steps forward that should such as the U.N. Gender Parity Dashboard push for greater accommodations for being unable to determine when key be continued in 2021, and will increase and the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) global civil society participation and input. deliberations are taking place, or meeting accountability for gender equality if Office website—detailed information about The U.N. must satisfy global engagement documentation not always readily available fully utilized. the U.N.’s funding and programming for by making all meetings, recordings, gender equality is often difficult to find. online. The loss of access to physical spaces As the last year of the SG’s first term, 2021 translations, documentation and lobbying Furthermore, meetings among senior for lobbying also decreased information marks the final year for the Secretary- opportunities available to the public— leadership, such as the Executive Committee, flow and influencing opportunities. This is a General to push for internal processes, and adhering to the recommendations where major decisions are made around missed opportunity; as online meetings and reports and data to be more publicly outlined in Section 5. gender equality issues are still conducted conferences continue into 2021, the U.N. behind closed doors. The Feminist U.N. must ensure greater openness, adaptability Campaign is only able to obtain such and accessibility, employing all the tools in information through key informant the digital toolbox to make it so.

2% 3% 4% 1%

12% 19% 17% FIGURE 5 14% FIGURE 6 Survey respondents’ Survey respondents’ agreement with the 15% agreement with the statement “I know how statement: “Sufficient 17% to find information about information about the the U.N.’s activities in U.N.’s activities is my country (n=69).” available online (n=69).” 42% 54%

4% 4% 4% 4%

FIGURE 7 12% 17% 15% 16% FIGURE 8 Survey respondents’ Survey respondents’ agreement with the agreement with the statement: “I know how statement: “I am able to 16% to find information about contact U.N. staff in my the U.N.’s activities at its 31% country if I seek more headquarters (New York 33% information (n=70).” 44% and Geneva) (n=70).”

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree Don’t know 50 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 51

funding and crisis response for the U.N. and is the year to double down on his efforts other multilateral and bilateral donors. The to mainstream gender in global pandemic CONCLUSION Secretary-General continues to be ahead of recovery and response—his hallmark schedule on his gender parity objectives—at achievement in 2020—pick back up work least those within his control—and his Call to root out—and hold accountable—sexual Four years down, one to go in the Secretary- structural and systemic barriers to equality to Action for Human Rights placed gender at harassment, exploitation and abuse, drive General’s first term. and embracing sexual and reproductive the center and resulted in 143 nations rising forward implementation on the Call to Action for Human Rights and the 2030 health and rights. As a global pandemic to the Call. Agenda, and send a clear signal to his High- We now have enough data to observe trend unfolded, that emphasis remained in both However, there remained little—and Level Task Force on Financing for Gender lines, and even in this most extraordinary speeches and policy recommendations, perhaps lost—momentum on rooting Equality that they must complete their work, year—a year of pandemic, protest, recession, urging attention to gender in U.N. and global out the system’s own issues with sexual including meaningful engagement of the Brexit, conflict and climate crisis—those lines COVID-19 response and recovery efforts and harassment, exploitation and abuse, a top civil society experts who have contributed indicate overall progress. mandating it in the new COVID-19 Response priority from previous years. Particularly to it, at last releasing publicly their findings, and Recovery Fund. with 2020’s shift to online work, this recommendations and implementation plan Over the past four years, the Secretary- is an area that merited attention and with a clear focus on increasing funding for General has made continued strides in In a year in which Black Lives Matter became incorporation into the SG’s efforts. gender equality. He should send a directive setting and hewing to a women’s rights and a global rallying cry, we find that his rhetoric to all entities that they must participate in gender equality agenda, with increasing and action on race and intersectionality The SG also seemed to suffer from a the Generation Equality Forum, and make attention to it in his speeches, commitments could have been stronger, and the U.N. deference or lack of leadership in a few transformative commitments as part of this and actions. In 2020, Secretary-General missed an opportunity to expand civil society areas where it was needed: his High-Level process. This is the last year to demonstrate Guterres earned a ‘B’ overall—his engagement and diversify stakeholder Task Force on Financing for Gender Equality his clear commitment to strengthening highest score to date, mostly owing to access in a virtual world, but overall the never convened with its civil society Advisory the U.N.’s gender equality architecture, SG maintained or increased his focus in his leadership on gender in the context Group—a process that has been beset by from UN Women, to gender advisors to the of the COVID-19 pandemic, where he this area at a time when that energy could delays and cloaked in secrecy, despite clear Commission on the Status of Women—and matched powerful words with strong have been easily diverted. He also made initial intent to make a public, leadership to civil society’s meaningful engagement actions—including funding—to ensure a strong push on the SDGs, consistently push for increased financing for gender in its efforts. As virtual events continue gender is at the heart of the U.N.’s pointing to urgent progress needed on Goal equality in the U.N. system and beyond. into 2021, the Secretary-General must response and recovery efforts. This is 5 in the remaining Decade of Action, and Particularly given his progress incorporating promote as much expansive and inclusive what feminist leadership looks like in a time linking more to the women’s human rights gender in his COVID-19 Response and participation of civil society as possible— of crisis. framework than in previous years. Recovery Fund in 2020, this decreased ensuring their voices are amplified and ambition on financing overall is perplexing. secure throughout U.N. deliberations, events From the very first weeks of 2020, the Unquestionably the SG’s strongest year And, in line with the last few years, the and convenings. SG set a strong standard for the year rhetorically speaking—but what of his Secretary-General still fails to advocate for with a powerful speech on gender actions? Four years in, and ahead of a full funding for U.N. Women—although it In many ways, 2021 can be the banner year equality and women’s human rights, one prospective second term, words must did achieve an internal benchmark of $500 for women’s rights we hoped it would be: that interrogated the power dynamics be matched with action, and actions million this year—and has largely deferred the Generation Equality Forum has been underpinning inequality, discrimination and with results. to the agency with regard to the Generation delayed to March and June of this year, and, violence, borrowing language from feminist Equality Forum process, for which his visible having been largely canceled in 2020, the movements and paying homage to women’s Here, too, there was much progress to leadership would be most useful to spur Commission on the Status of Women will human rights standards. recount: The SG’s integration of the gender system-wide action. convene to do much of the business that marker system into the minimum criteria was lost last year. A past critique of his language was that of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery With the recent announcement that he played it “safe” when speaking about Fund has the potential to leverage millions Secretary-General Guterres intends to run The stage is set for the Secretary-General to make gender, avoiding more “controversial” areas of dollars for gender equality if the funding for a second term, 2021 is an opportunity a final, strong stand on gender equality—and to like sexual and reproductive health and goal of $2 billion is met, and sets a strong for him to cement the last four years of rights. Not so in 2020. The SG’s language precedent for streamlining gender equality progress and make a final push on those see through the implementation of the commitments grew more radical, examining and critiquing priorities into international development, areas where it has been out of reach. This that will make it a reality. 52 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 53

organizations (NGOs), INGOs, unions and from the analysis. academic institutions, which snowballed, ANNEX as individuals forwarded it to other similar Non-substantive references included organizations. Again, all information quick references to women or gender as was anonymized and respondents were an aside on another topic, or as part of a coded by their type of organization and grouping. For instance, when listing the geographic location. This was the first challenges facing the world, “racism, poverty, year we administered the survey in three in the Feminist U.N. Campaign. Each xenophobia, violent misogyny, homophobia” METHODOLOGY languages: English, French and Spanish. In The scoring reflected in this report card interview took about an hour. would be an important but non-substantive total, we reached 136 respondents that work reference. General statements, such as draws on qualitative and quantitative data across the regions and various sub-regions Key informants were asked questions about “we must make gender equality a priority” collected and curated through a variety of of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the different domains of the report card, were also non-substantive, if they did not different sources and methods. All research Oceania and across 54 countries (n=96). We including the Secretary-General’s support elaborate on why gender equality should be procedures were approved by the ICRW reached 103 respondents in English, 19 in Institutional Review Board to ensure full for feminist leadership within the United a priority or how to achieve it. It is important French and 14 in Spanish.106 The chart on compliance with the Human Research Nations, the gender parity agenda in staffing to note that non-substantive statements the following page represents the operating Protection Program. and recruitment, financing for gender regions of these civil society organizations, are not necessarily unimportant. They equality, financing and support for UN which are not limited to areas where they were often used to highlight that women We sought to be rigorous and generate Women, engagement with the Commission have formal registration but reflects where and gender equality were relevant to the as representative input as possible. We on the Status of Women (CSW), and the their work is conducted and their mission is conversation in instances where that may have also aimed for this endeavor to be High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable advanced. The results of the survey capture not have been evident. This was especially replicable, so that similar data can be Development (HLPF), as well as gender the perceptions of civil society respondents the case when used in combination with collected throughout the duration of the mainstreaming throughout the SDGs and about the Secretary-General’s progress in substantive references, to highlight the Secretary-General’s term and thereafter, full implementation of Goal 5. They were advancing gender equality to date. They relevance of gender to certain issues. providing ongoing opportunities for also asked about freedom of information, are used to augment and substantiate our learning and reflection. The intent is to sexual harassment and the pursuit of analysis and are not representative of the capture whether gender can be effectively greater accountability for sexual abuse Key Terms: mainstreamed across the U.N. system cases by peacekeepers. This year, we also views of global civil society. Woman/women, girl, female, gender, sex/ and whether sufficient resources are added questions on the 25th anniversary ual, mother, wife, daughter, sister, feminist/ being dedicated to gender mainstreaming of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for SPEECHES ism, harassment, #Metoo, #Aidtoo, SDG 5, and gender equality and to the more Action and the Generation Equality Forum Text of the SG’s speeches was pulled from Sustainable Development Goal 5, women’s transparent and accountable engagement (GEF), as well as the Secretary-General’s the U.N. Secretary-General’s website, economic empowerment, Generation of civil society in U.N. processes and fora. leadership and response to the COVID-19 covering the time period following the Equality, Beijing pandemic. Key informants’ responses end of last year’s data collection period KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS were anonymized, and individuals are only (December 15, 2019) to the end of this identified by their organization type and year’s data collection period (December 11, Thematic Areas: We conducted key informant interviews adolescent girls; agriculture; Beijing/ (KIIs) with 19 individuals. These informants broad geographic location. 2020). In that time, the SG made a total of Generation Equality Forum; child marri came from within the U.N. system (10) 169 speeches. Of these, 14 were focused age; climate change; conflict, peace and and global civil society (9), each possessing entirely on gender and women’s rights ONLINE SURVEY security; COVID-19; disabilities; economic considerable U.N. expertise. Where possible We used the same networks and affiliations issues, and 93 made references to gender empowerment; education; empowerment; we interviewed the same individuals we had to enable us to field an online survey about but were focused on other topics. These spoken to last year in the same agencies the key domains and levels of civil society 107 speeches were downloaded into NVivo funding; hate speech; humanitarian or organizations. Key informants were engagement and civil society’s perceptions and all were coded thematically. The 93 assistance; LGBTIQ+; migration and identified through a number of civil society of U.N. transparency, accountability and speeches focused on issues other than refugees; nutrition; other important; power; and U.N. networks, including: Women’s support for gender equality under the gender were also coded based on whether sexual exploitation and abuse; sexual Major Group, Women’s Rights Caucus, U.N. leadership of this Secretary-General. The their references to gender were substantive harassment; SRHR; technology; terrorism Feminist Network, multiple U.N. agencies, survey was sent out through these networks or non-substantive. The 61 speeches that and extremism; violence against women; and feminist organizations directly engaged to individuals in different non-governmental made no reference to gender were excluded women’s leadership 54 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 55

TWITTER ANALYSIS #GlobalGoals together (4 tweets), the 25th SCORING We also pulled the Secretary-General’s anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and The overall weighted average score was informed by scores on each of six dimensions tweets (@antonioguterres), covering the Platform for Action (1 tweet), #MeToo or and the subcomponents that we tracked under each: #AidToo (0 tweets), COVID-19 and gender same data collection period (December together (45 tweets), parity and women’s 14, 2019-December 20, 2020). In that leadership (18 tweets), the Spotlight time, the Secretary-General tweeted a ONE. ARTICULATE AND BEGIN THREE. FINANCE FOR Initiative (0 tweets), power imbalances TO IMPLEMENT A FEMINIST GENDER EQUALITY total of 902 times. 133 tweets, nearly 15 between men and women (14 tweets), (14 percent) percent, focused on gender or women’s LGBTIQ+ people (2 tweets), sexual violence LEADERSHIP AGENDA FOR THE rights issues. We analyzed how often the from U.N. personnel (2 tweets), harassment UNITED NATIONS A. Track and publish what is spent on Secretary-General called himself a “proud against women (1 tweet) and engaging men (30 percent) gender equality throughout the system feminist” (5 tweets), mentioned gender- and boys in overcoming gender inequality and support the U.N.-SWAP based violence (29 tweets), women and the (4 tweets). A. Give speeches that make substantive reference to gender in U.N. processes B. Convene an annual high-level panel on and commitments (percent of financing for gender equality within the FIGURE 9 speeches) U.N. system Survey respondents’ region(s) in which their civil society organization operates. B. Seek parity in high level appointments C. Advocate for increased funding for UN 5 10 15 20 25 30 (percent of new appointments) Women to US$1 billion Eastern Africa C. Actively engage with civil society in U.N. D. Commit to a pathway to full financial fora and through town hall meetings Middle Africa transparency in the United Nations (# meetings with civil society) Northern Africa Southern Africa TWO. ENSURE FEMINIST FOUR. UTILIZE FEMINIST Western Africa IMPLEMENTATION AND LEADERSHIP AS A DEFINING North America ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SDGs MODEL OF THE NEW South America (14 percent) ADMINISTRATION AND Central America THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM A. Make efforts to link the SDGs and their (14 percent) Caribbean targets to the Beijing Declaration and Central Asia Platform for Action A. Support parity among ASGs and USGs Eastern Asia B. Make efforts to ensure that CSW has B. Establish gender parity in the Cabinet a clear mandate to oversee gender Southern Asia C. Call for nominations for feminist female mainstreaming in the SDGs South-Eastern Asia candidates in WHO, UNFPA and U.N. C. Link SDG implementation to Treaty Bodies Western Asia accountability mechanisms D. Support gender equitable employment Eastern Europe D. Emphasize gender equality and practices (respect for care work, flexible Northern Europe human rights in the 2030 Agenda for working hours, paid family leave, zero Sustainable Development and the HLPF Southern Europe tolerance for sexual harassment) Western Europe E. Institute a global commission of inquiry for victims of sexual exploitation Australia and New Zealand and abuse Melanesia Micronesia Polynesia 56 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 57

FIVE. ENABLE A FEMINIST Each of these dimensions ANNEX: CONCEPT NOTE TRANSFORMATION FOR was scored based on the CSW AND UN WOMEN data from the KIIs, the online (14 percent) survey, coded speeches Establishment of a High-Level Task Force on and analysis of reports Financing for Gender Equality and outcome documents. A. Increase amount and scope of civil 107 The grading scale is shown society participation at CSW here: B. Encourage focus on women’s rights and Objective:

gender equality in outcome documents A+ 97%+ At its meeting discussing the Gender Architecture in June 2017, the Executive Committee of the Secretary- and proceedings A 93-96% General decided that the UN should “consider establishing a light and time-bound Task Force on Financing C. Support more transparent and plural A- 90-92% for Gender Equality to review UN budgets/expenditures across the system and make recommendations advisory council for UN Women B+ 87-89% on how to increase financing for gender equality, including by: B 83-86% a. identifying structural and operational changes required to enable budget tracking; b. establishing a baseline as an important first step to reallocation of resources; B- 80-82% c. defining the scope of the investment required to strengthen the gender architecture system-wide; SIX. PROMOTE THE C+ 77-79% d. proposing innovative recommendations for Member States to incentivize increased spending on FREEDOM OF INFORMATION C 73-76% gender equality and women’s empowerment.” IN THE U.N. SYSTEM C- 70-72% (14 percent) D+ 67-69% Context: D 63-66% A. Institute a system-wide freedom of D- 60-62% • Across the UN Development System, investment in gender equality and the empowerment of information policy F 0-59% women is low. The 2017 SG Report Repositioning the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda: ensuring a better future for all,1 found that only 2.03% of the UN Development B. Publish contributions by member states The scores were reviewed by System expenditure is allocated to gender equality and women’s empowerment (SDG 5) while only and staff quotas publicly 2.6% of personnel work on this important issue. Despite these low figures, 30 entities, out of 32 in a technical advisory group the report, identify gender equality and women’s empowerment as a primary or secondary priority C. Televise major U.N. meetings and comprised of members of make them available to civil society via in their strategic documents. the Feminist U.N. Campaign internet platforms and are reported for each • The Report states the financing needs for the implementation of SDGs call for a comprehensive of the six components. The overhaul in the United Nations system’s approach to financing. In this context, the United Nations sub-component analysis is Development Assistance Frameworks should “be repositioned and strengthened as the single most included in the full report. important United Nations planning tool in all countries” to serve as a system-wide response to The first component of the six national priorities and underpinned by a clear budgetary framework. It is critical to ensure scaled up components was weighted resources for gender equality through common budgetary frameworks, joint funding mechanisms and at 30 percent of the overall joint mobilization efforts.

score in order to reflect that • Several UN entities have adopted “gender markers” to track the proportion of funds devoted to it encompasses the other advance gender equality. These tools have drawn on the experience of the OECD-DAC Gender Equality components by framing an Policy Marker. Intergovernmental bodies have called on the UN system on multiple occasions to track overarching commitment to gender-related resource allocation and expenditure. Two performance indicators of the UN System- gender equality within the wide Action Plan (UN-SWAP) on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women focus on resource U.N. system and is an action tracking and allocation. UN Women provides support and guidance for the implementation of gender that is fully within the power markers. of the Secretary-General to undertake alone (i.e., does • Although the proportion has more than doubled since 2012, only 54 percent of UN entities currently not require action by member meet UN-SWAP requirements on gender markers. In particular, it is essential for the UN Secretariat to put in place gender markers as its Departments and Offices make up over half of UN entities. The states or bodies beyond his individual control). 1 A/72/124–E/2018/3

1

58 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 59

UN Secretariat faces special circumstances as it is mostly funded from assessed contriutions and uses omosition oes nd esonsiiities nd orin rrnements Umoa as nterprise esource lanning system. he ihee s orce will inlude rinipals of all relevant entities and departments t will e o Challenges: haired y the hef de inet and the xecutie irector of omen

• he SG eport Mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the hile it will e open to all entities of the system, the following offiials will onstitute the minimum United Nations system noted that 33% of entities reporting on the UN-SWAP identified lack of ore group for the tas fore sufficient resources for gender equality as one greatest impediments to progress. t went further to note that without intensified efforts and investments, the system’s progress towards implementation UN Secretariat of the Systemwide Action lan will stagnate or decline. enior dviser on oliy, ndereretaryeneral for anagement • he edition of the same report indicates that adequate resourcing to effectively carry out ssistant eretaryeneral, ontroller gender equality work remains a concern with only 5 of entities ( entities) reported having a ssistant eretaryeneral, eaeuilding upport fully resourced gender unit or equivalent. his represents a decline of percentage points since eutive eretary, on ehalf of the egional ommissions suggesting significant reduction in funding availaility at the entitylevel for gender equality work. igh ommissioner for uman ights

• n 54% of UN-SWAP reporting entities “met” or “exceeded” requirements for the resource Funds and Programmes tracking indicator indicating that they use financial resources tracking systems. A total of entities eutive iretor, nited ations hildren und reported working towards adoption of gender equality markers. Non-development entities within dministrator, nited ations evelopment rogramme the UN system consistently express difficulties in adopting resource tracking mechanisms and need eutive iretor, nited ations opulation und targeted technical support. eutive iretor, orld ood rogramme

• esource tracking and resource allocation continue to e among the areas where UNSA Specialized Agencies performance is weakest. ncouragingly compliance with UNSA requirements for resource iretoreneral, nternational rganiation for igration tracking has increased y percentage points etween and indicating need for iretoreneral, orld eteorologial rganiation harmonied work on financial resources for gender equality y the UN system. esource tracking iretoreneral, orld ealth rganiation constitutes one of the areas most widely targeted y entities for enhancing performance. he as ore will meet at Principals’ level and sumit a set of reommendations to the eretary eneral and the eutive ommittee Objectives

he oective of the ighevel ask Force is to galvanie action across the system for increased and oring roups targeted investments for gender equality and women’s empowerment and accurate tracking of resources in this area. he ask Force will set a strategic vision and moilie the UNsystem to increase financing for o orin rous will e estalished to support the wor of the as ore oring roups will e gender equality y omprised of staff from as ore entities with proven epertise in the areas of fous of the as ore ah oring roup will e haired or ohaired y one of the memers • nsuring the UN system is a model for aligning financing with gender equality commitments. • roviding the est evidence on gender equality financing gaps. he hairs or ohairs will support the organiation of the oring roups and report a to the as • Applying standardied methodologies for tracking gender equality allocations. ore on its outomes he hairs will endeavor to generate ommitment in support of the as ore • ntegrating gender equality into current ependiture reporting systems. efforts and reommendations • ncentiviing increased investment in programmatic and nonprogrammatic activities across the UN system to advance gender equality. he irst orin rou will fous on identifying strutural and operational hanges required to enale udget and epense traing and on estalishing a aseline as an important first step to realloation of resoures his may inlude the following • ssessment of tehnial apaities and infrastruture needed to ahieve full adoption for resoure traing mehanisms aross the system • eveloping reommendations for the systemwide appliation of gender marers y all entities to 5 ensure omparale data and inrease transpareny, and looing at est praties in this area 5

60 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 61

• anning and analying data aross the system ased on reporting imeine of or • romoting a harmonied oding sale for gender marers aross the system • roviding advie on apaity strengthening on gender responsive udgeting tools and onepts The Task Force will hold its inaugural meeting shortly after its announcement. t will complete its work y to enale use of the gender marers ecemer . • romoting the guidane note on gender marers and its supplementary guidane orking roups will meet at least three times at technical epert level. he econd orin rou will fous on defining the sope of the investment required to strengthen the gender arhiteture systemwide and proposing innovative reommendations for emer tates to The dvisory roup will e consulted at least twice with the Task Force and each orking roup. t may incentivize increased spending on gender equality and women’s empowerment his may inlude meet more often with the orking roups at the request of the hairs.

efining riteria for the estalishment of a universal minimum finanial target of funding alloated utcome to gender equality and women’s empowerment work inluding in ommon udgetary framewors, oint funding mehanisms and oint moiliation efforts The ighevel Task Force will provide a short report to the ecretaryeneral with a set of actionale oo at osting eerises and their usefulnessrepliaility recommendations. The report will e shared roadly in a pulic event. dentifying good eamples of inentives for inreased funding of gender equality wor y emer tates and other staeholders The Task Force may also recommend a mechanism to ensure implementation and tracking of its implementation. he woring groups will produe suint papers to ring ey reommendations to the attention of the

as ore, whih will validate them for sumission to the eretaryeneral roosed tructure

dvisory roup ih ee s orce

o enefit from outside epertise and to ensure wide engagement in this wor, an dvisory roup will e rovides recommendations to the ecretaryeneral and the ecutive ommittee estalished in support of the wor of the as ore he dvisory roup will e omposed of seleted representatives from government, aademia, international institutions and ivil soiety with unique epertise in financing and resource tracking for gender equality and women’s empowerment. emers will e invited to serve on the dvisory roup y the ohairs of the as ore n addition to ringing omen an eternal perspetive, the dvisory roup will share est praties and lessons learned from other orin rou ender rers nd udetin rovides setorsinstitutions sustantive

disor rovides recommendations to the Task Force on a identifying structural and support and he sie of the dvisory roup should not eeed memers and will meet with the as ore and at rou operational changes required to enale udget and epense tracking secretariat least one with eah oring roup dditional meetings may e arranged y the hairs of the oring estalishing a aseline as an important first step to reallocation of resources functions roups s muh as possile, meetings will e held virtually rovides eternal epert orin rou innci ender ret eretariat advice and est rovides recommendations to the Task Force on a defining the scope of he as ore will e supported y omen, whih will provide sustantive support, shedule practices the investment required to strengthen the gender architecture system meetings and support the ohairs in all their tass ll related astopping, oordination and wide proposing innovative recommendations for emer tates to ollaoration will e provided y omen incentivize increased spending on gender equality and women’s empowerment omen will identify resoures in staff time and funding for consultants in support of the Task Force’s wor n addition, a request will e made to relevant epartments and entities through to dediate some of their staff time to support the wor of the as ore

62 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 63

REPORT CARD GRADES FROM 2017-2020 REFERENCES & NOTES 1. UN Women (2020). “From Insight to Action: Gen- concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic. For der Equality in the Wake of COVID-19.” Retrieved more information, visit: https://www.unwomen. 2020 2019 2018 2017 from https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/head- org/en/get-involved/beijing-plus-25/genera- A+ quarters/attachments/sections/library/publica- tion-equality-forum. tions/2020/gender-equality-in-the-wake-of-covid- 11. United Nations Secretary-General (13 March 19-en.pdf?la=en&vs=5142 2017). “Secretary-General’s remarks at the A 2. UN Women (2020). “From Insight to Action: Gen- Commission on the Status of Women” Retrieved der Equality in the Wake of COVID-19.” from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/ A- 3. International Center for Research on Women. statement/2017-03-13/secretary-generals-re- (2016). “Toward a More Feminist United Nations.” marks-commission-status-women Washington, D.C. Retrieved from https://www. 12. 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For further explanation on the differences be- (2016). “Toward a More Feminist United Nations: tween substantive and non-substantive speeches, C A 100 Day Agenda for the New Secretary-Gener- please refer to the Methodology section. al.” 15. United Nations Secretary-General (22 September C- 6. Ahmed, S., S. Gammage, and L. Thompson, L. 2020). “Address to the Opening of the General (2018). A Year of Progress, A Long Way to Go: Debate of the 75th Session of the General Assem- A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s First bly.” Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sg/en/ D+ Year from the Feminist U.N. Campaign. Washing- content/sg/speeches/2020-09-22/address-the- ton, D.C., International Center for Research on opening-of-the-general-debate-of-the-75th-ses- Women. Retrieved from https://www.icrw.org/ sion-of-the-general-assembly D wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ICRW_YearEndRe- 16. United Nations Secretary-General (18 July 2020). portCard_FemUN_WebReady_v5.pdf “Secretary-General’s Nelson Mandela Lecture: 7. Casale, T., L. Thompson, S. Gammage and L. “Tackling the Inequality Pandemic: A New Social O’Brien-Milne (2019). Progress Under Threat: A Contract for a New Era” [as delivered]” Retrieved Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Second from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/ ONE. TWO. THREE. FOUR. FIVE. SIX. OVERALL Year from the Feminist U.N. Campaign. Washing- statement/2020-07-18/secretary-generals-nel- Articulate and Ensure feminist Finance for Utilize feminist Enable a feminist Promote the ton, D.C., International Center for Research on son-mandela-lecture-%E2%80%9Ctackling-the-in- Women. 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The Generation Equality Forum, organized by UN of Adolescent Girls” [as delivered].” Retrieved Women and co-hosted by Mexico and France, is a from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/state- “civil society-centred global gathering for gender ment/2020-02-11/secretary-generals-remarks- equality” that seeks to advance implementation the-drive-for-five-call-action-for-the-education-of- of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. adolescent-girls-delivered The Forum was initially scheduled for 2020, but 20. United Nations Secretary-General (9 February was postponed to the first half of 2021 due to 2020). “Remarks at the 33rd African Union Sum- 64 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 65

mit.” Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sg/en/ coronavirus/women-rise-for-all 2020). “Secretary-General’s remarks to Secu- liver-sustainable-development-roundtable3 content/sg/speeches/2020-02-09/remarks-33rd-af- 33. United Nations (27 April 2020). “Women leaders rity Council Open Video-Teleconference on 56. See Annex: “Establishment of a High-Level Task rican-union-summit rise in solidarity to save lives and protect liveli- the Maintenance of International Peace and Force on Financing for Gender Equality.” Security: Implications of COVID-19 [as deliv- 21. UNICEF (3 March 2020). “25 years of uneven hoods.” Press Release. Retrieved from https:// 57. This correspondence was conducted in January ered].” Retrieved from https://www.un.org/ progress: Despite gains in education, world still www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/riseforall_ 2021. a violent, highly discriminatory place for girls.” press_release.pdf sg/en/content/sg/statement/2020-07-02/ secretary-generals-remarks-security-coun- 58. United Nations Economic and Social Council (13 Press release. Retrieved from https://www.unicef. 34. UN News (30 October 2020). “Women the ‘driving cil-open-video-teleconference-the-mainte- April 2018). “Mainstreaming a gender perspective org/press-releases/25-years-uneven-progress-de- force’ for peacebuilding in Colombia: Deputy UN nance-of-international-peace-and-security-impli- into all policies and programmes in the United spite-gains-education-world-still-violent-highly chief.” Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/sto- cations-of-covid-19-delivered Nations system.” Report of the Secretary-Gen- 22. United Nations (2020). “From the UN Secre- ry/2020/10/1076522 eral (E/2018/53). Retrieved from https://undocs. 47. United Nations (30 June 2020). “Terms of tary-General.” COVID-19 Response. Retrieved from 35. CIVICUS. “What is civic space?” Retrieved from org/E/2018/53 Reference for the UN COVID-19 Response and https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/un-secre- https://monitor.civicus.org/whatiscivicspace/ Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund.” Retrieved 59. United Nations Economic and Social Council (5 tary-general 36. United Nations (September 2020). “United Nations from https://eur03.safelinks.protection.out- April 2019). “Mainstreaming a gender perspective 23. United Nations (9 April 2020). “Policy Brief: The Guidance Note: Protection and Promotion of Civic look.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmptf.undp. into all policies and programmes in the United Impact of COVID-19 on Women.” Retrieved from Space.” Retrieved from https://violenceagainst- org%2Fdocument%2Fdownload%2F23806&- Nations system.” Report of the Secretary-General https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/poli- children.un.org/file/6168/download?token=k2US- data=02%7C01%7Cbiljana.vasic%40undp.org%7C- (E/2019/54) https://undocs.org/E/2019/54 cy_brief_on_covid_impact_on_women_9_apr_2020_ k6aw. 7c690547ee9740e1fe0008d7fcec9013%7Cb3e5d- 60. UN Women. “UN-SWAP 2.0 entity performance updated.pdf 37. United Nations (2020). “The Highest Aspiration: A b5e2944483799f57488ace54319%7C0%7C0% results 2019.” Retrieved from https://www. 24. The General Assembly Third Committee is Call to Action for Human Rights.” Retrieved from 7C637255965639414267&sdata=w84jtuYnANq4A- unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/un-system-coor- composed of member states addressing social, https://www.un.org/sg/sites/www.un.org.sg/files/ CJuVKMyMSaTgZk%2BzLFJQe5VxnBU41Q%3D&re- dination/promoting-un-accountability/un-swap- humanitarian and cultural issues. For more infor- atoms/files/The_Highest_Asperation_A_Call_To_Ac- served=0 results/2019 mation, see https://www.un.org/en/ga/third/. tion_For_Human_Right_English.pdf 48. United Nations (2020). “UN COVID-19 Response 61. United Nations Economic and Social Council (8 25. United Nations (13 November 2020). “Third 38. United Nations General Assembly (21 October and Recovery Fund Gender Equality Marker.” April 2020). “Mainstreaming a gender perspective Committee Approves Six Drafts on Pandemic 2019). “Political declaration of the high-level polit- COVID-19 Response. 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