Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women (H)

The role of institutional mechanisms or national machineries, as a way to promote the status of women, acquired international relevance during the World Conference on the International Women's Year, held in Mexico in 1975, which called for their establishment. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for Equality, Development and Peace (BPfA) 1995 not only identified institutional mechanisms for advancement of women as one of the 12 critical areas of concern but also as the crucial area to ensure developments in the other 11 areas. According to BPfA 1995, national machineries for the advancement of women have been established in general in all Member States to design and support for policies that promote the advancement of women. At the same time, these mechanisms are frequently hampered by unclear mandates, lack of adequate staff, training, data and sufficient resources, and insufficient support from national political leadership.