UN creates new body on women,gender equality

“UN Women will significantly boost UN efforts to promote gender equality,expand opportunity,and tackle discrimination around the globe,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

UN diplomats said four years of negotiations between Western developed nations and developing countries,many of them states where women are often discriminated against,had been tough because of varying views on women’s rights and gender equality.

A new post of under-secretary-general will created to head UN Women,with diplomats saying privately that former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is one of the top candidates.

Ban said he was inviting suggestions for candidates from member states and non-governmental organizations.

UN Women will focus on supporting inter-government bodies like the Commission on the Status of Women and ensuring that all United Nations agencies and organizations live up to their commitments to gender equality,the UN said in a statement.

UN Women will become operational on January 1,2011.