UNIFEM just released a publication that will be integral in holding governments and organizations accountable to their commitments in improving women’s rights. It’s sad to say that many have not held true to their promises. The key word here: accountability. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says:
“If any man asks why I support better accountability to women, here’s my response: because a government that answers to women will answer to you, too.”
UNIFEM largely blames the severe lack of improvement in gender quality within various nations on an “accountability crisis.” Women should have the right to ask for explanations, to ask for information from decision makers – if they can’t simply ask and be answered to, where can we even start implementing change?
Read the whole report, title “Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009, Who Answers to Women? Gender and Accountability”, which also includes a pretty awesome online interactive feature guiding you through the report.