Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in UNODC

Why Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Matter in UNODC

UNODC’s mission is to build effective, accountable, and rights-based justice systems that prevent crime, address the world drug problem, and respond to security threats. Justice systems are not gender neutral. Social norms and inequalities shape institutional and community interactions. Ignoring these dynamics risks operational impact for crime prevention and community protection.

Security and Economic Costs: Gender-based crimes strain police, court, and prison systems, burden health and welfare budgets, and reduce productivity.
Gender-Inclusive Justice: Gender-responsive institutions are more effective at preventing and addressing crime. Gender norms that shield women from suspicion can be exploited by criminal and terrorist groups for recruitment, financing, and trafficking.
Driver of Broader Agendas: Embedding gender equality strengthens the rule of law and human rights. The UN supports Member States in advancing gender equality under CEDAW, the 2030 Agenda, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and regional commitments.

With a mandate spanning the full justice chain, UNODC translates these frameworks into practice, embedding gender perspectives across justice and security operations. It advances women’s participation and leadership where it matters most—in police stations, courtrooms, prisons, borders, and other specialized units.

Highlights

UNODC Best Practices Compendium on Gender Integration in Programming

The new Best Practices Compendium showcases high-impact examples from UNODC programming where gender dimensions are fully integrated, highlighting practical approaches that strengthen institutions, build community resilience and enhance inclusive, effective responses to crime.

UNODC and the Women Peace and Security Agenda

Through our work on criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, border management, and organized crime, UNODC addresses drivers of insecurity that disproportionately impact women and girls. Integrating gender perspectives into these efforts, we strengthen the effectiveness and inclusivity of peace and security initiatives.

Practical Tools for Gender Mainstreaming in UNODCs Mandates

Understanding how gender shapes experiences of transnational organized crime, drug policy, counterterrorism, and corruption is key to effective, inclusive responses. Men, women, boys, and girls are affected differently, especially within criminal justice systems. The following tools offer practical, step-by-step guidance for gender-responsive programming.

Contact us

We appreciate your interest on issues about gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Please do not hesitate to contact us directly under: unov-unodc.gender@un.org if you should have any queries.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in UNODC

Promoting Women's Participation in Specialized Law Enforcement Agencies

Ensuring Gender-Responsive and Accessible Policing

Engaging Women Leaders in Community-Based Radicalization Prevention

Engaging Men and Women in Gender-Responsive Leadership for Effective Crime Prevention

Promoting Evidence-Based Policies