United Nations International Research
and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women
(INSTRAW)
HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS
INSTRAW was established by ECOSOC res. 1998 (LX)
in 1976, following a recommendation by the World
Conference on the International Women's Year in
Mexico in 1975. ECOSOC's decision was endorsed in
General Assembly res. 31/135 in 1976. The Institute's
headquarters have been located in the Dominican
Republic since 1983. INSTRAW also has a liaison
office at the UN Secretariat in New York. Its objectives
are to stimulate and assist through research, training
and the collection and dissemination of information
- the advancement of women and their integration
in the development process both as participants
and beneficiaries. The Statute of the Institute,
adopted by INSTRAW's Board of Trustees at its fourth
Session, was approved by ECOSOC in decision 1984/124
and endorsed in General Assembly res. 39/249 in
1985. General Assembly res. 54/140 of 1999 endorsed
a new structure and working method for INSTRAW based
on the establishment of an electronic Gender Awareness
Information and Networking System (GAINS).
In accordance with article III of the Statute of
the Institute, the Board of Trustees is composed
of 11 members who serve in their personal capacity
for a three-year term and are nominated by states
and appointed by ECOSOC taking into consideration
the principle of equitable geographical distribution.
INSTRAW is an autonomous body of the United Nations
funded by voluntary contributions.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS
Department of Social Development
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Department of Health
Department of Education
Office on the Status of Women in the Presidency
Commission on Gender Equality
South African Human Rights Commision
RELEVANT TREATIES/PROTOCOLS ETC.
Convention on the Eradication of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (1979) (RSA ratified: 15 December
1995).
Convention on the Political Rights of Women (1952)
(RSA signed: 29 January 1993).
Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age
for Marriage and Registration of Marriages (1962)
(RSA acceded: 29 January 1993).
Convention on the Nationality of Married Women
(1957) (RSA signed: 29 January 1993).
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (In
the process of ratification).
SADC Declaration for the Prevention and Eradication
of Violence Against Women and Children (RSA signed:
8 September 1997).
Addendum to the 1997 SADC Declaration on Gender
and Development for the Prevention and Eradication
of Violence Against Women and Children (RSA signed:
14 September 1998).
Optional Protocol on trafficking in Persons, especially
Women and Children to the Convention against Transnational
Crime (RSA signed: during signing ceremony of the
Palermo conference, 12-15 December)
GENERAL COMMENTS
South Africa has made annual voluntary contributions
of R100 000, since the 1997/1995 to 2000/2001 financial
years.
