Gender Institutionalism in International Organizations: The Progress towards Gender Parity in the United Nations

This study focused on gender parity and institutionalism at the United Nations (UN). It sought to assess the progress towards gender parity in the United Nations. It examined the role the UN has played towards mainstreaming gender within its institutions and pursuit of achieving gender equality. The study identified the effects gender parity and institutionalization have on the UN’s development and legitimacy; explored the influence of the UN policy on the achievement of gender parity; and examined the main challenges the UN is facing in achieving and implementing gender parity. The study was guided by the fact that women have been sidelined for years and it is only in the recent past that the subject of gender equality has been amplified to incorporate women in societal affairs. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but it is also necessary for a peaceful society, full human potential, and long-term progress. The study observed and argued that while the UN has attempted to be practical with incorporating both genders in its activities, the reality on the ground indicate that it has not fully led by example concerning matters of women’s rights and gender equality. The major challenge to this is not lack of policies, rather, it is the lack of commitment when it comes to implementation. This is the missing gap and the problem that this study sought to address. As such, the study pointed out the need for providing a holistic approach towards women empowerment and true equality through gender mainstreaming within the UN agencies. Primary and secondary data sources were used in this study. Secondary data sources accounted for the biggest portion of the data source. These sources included journal articles, online publications, published reports, policy documents, and periodical reports from the UN. The primary data obtained was analyzed and presented in the form of a table, figures and narratives including a thematic approach to present the information around gender mainstreaming concepts. The study analytically found out that the awareness of the staff at the UN regarding gender mainstreaming policies was good and most of them know the existing policies on the subject. Additionally, the study found out that they have a solid understanding of the concepts of gender institutionalism and the challenges the UN is facing in its attempts to mainstream gender and achieve gender parity. The study discussed the different challenges that are an impediment to the UN’s implementation of gender policies based on the findings. The study finally recommended the need for institutional commitment, have clear accountability mechanisms and embed gender perspectives in the society. The study also pointed out an area of further research regarding the inclusivity of different gender identities that have emerged recently.