International Women’s Policy Machinery

Abstract

Behind the various national anti-discrimination and positive action machineries lies much work done by international organisations. The most important multilateral organisations which address gender equality and the social protection of motherhood at the international level are the United Nations, associated specialist organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the various regional organisations such as the Council of Europe or the European Economic Community (EEC). The work of these organisations can be divided into two broad categories: (1) research, analysis and sponsorship of special conferences and seminars, and (2) the establishment and monitoring of international `instruments’ — the various international treaties, conventions, directives, recommendations, declarations, and plans of actions, whose aim is to set international standards and patterns for national legislation and programmes.