UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)

http://www.un.org/instraw

INSTRAW is engaged in research analysis and training activities addressing women's issues in the areas of: water supply, sanitation and waste management; new and renewable sources of energy; natural resources, and, in accordance with the mandates of Agenda 21, environment and sustainable development issues. The Institute's programme consists of activities in the area of policy coordination, research, training/capacity building and information.

INSTRAW's  four main clusters of work programme are: (a) the economic and political empowerment of women; (b) women, media and communications; (c) women, environment and sustainable development; (d) statistics and indicators on gender issues. These four programmatic areas  are approached in an integrated and holistic manner and are cross-cutting and cross-disciplinary with the relevant chapters of Agenda 21. It addition they, address in an integrated way, women's roles and activities in areas such as: poverty, population growth, health, structural adjustment policies, education/training, water, energy, agriculture, forestry, etc.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Statistical information, time-use data and measuring and valuing unpaid work

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
INSTRAW has produced two studies, "Measurement of Valuation of Unpaid Contribution:
Accounting through Time and Output", in 1995 and "Valuation of Household Production and
the Satellite Accounts", in 1996.

Assessment and Analysis
Areas are women's roles and activities in areas such as: poverty, population growth, health, structural adjustment policies, education/training, water, energy, agriculture, forestry, etc.

INSTRAW works loosely within the United Nations system in the implementation of Agenda 21 as well as with the Universities, training institutions, women's organizations and non-governmental organizations world-wide.

Indicators
 Statistics and indicators on gender issues

Modelling
 Computerized statistical models

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

 Dissemination via reports and training materials

Network Development and Support

Capacity-Building
Multi-media training package, "Women, Environmental Management and Sustainable Development", provided for decision-makers.

Training packages on "Collection, Processing and analysis of Data on Satellite Accounts on women's and Men's Unpaid Work" and "The Use of Statistics and Indicators on Gender Issues in Policy Designs" contain materials, computerized statistical models and exercises designed to enhance user's understanding of and skills in utilizing gender-specific statistics and indicators to design policies and development programmes.

Internet Access

http://www.un.org/instraw

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Ms. Yakin Erturk
Director
UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women
P.O. Box 21747
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
Tel: +1 (809) 685-2111
Fax: +1 (809) 685-2117
E-mail: instraw.hq.sd@codetel.net.do

Ms. Borjana Bulajic
Social Affairs Officer
INSTRAW Support Office, DC1-1106
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
U. S. A.
Tel: +1 (212) 963-0834
Fax: +1 (212) 963-2978
E-mail: bulajic@un.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: 13 November 1997

ORGANIZATION: UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)