In the previous series, we engaged in conversations about the importance of learning from feminist civil society movements and the need for greater collaboration between the public health field and feminist civil society. This new series kicks off by delving deeper into questioning the nature and role of the UN’s collective power as a way to advance gender equality. Over the last few decades, the UN has made notable strides in improving gender equality. However, a think piece authored by Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun and Joanne Sandler, invites readers to critically consider the nature of collective power and action within the UN and to reflect on why and how a major paradigm shift is required in the way we conceive, talk about, and enact coordination for gender equality in the UN. In this think piece, Zineb and Joanne explore the following: (1) insights and lessons learned about the factors that support and impede the UN’s collective power on gender equality; (2) how feminist thinking about collaboration and collective power could enhance the UN’s approach to coordination; and (3) changing structures and incentives for supporting greater collective power and action on gender equality. Download the executive summary Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun is a Senior Consultant and member of the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network and Joanne Sandler is a Senior Associate, Gender at Work.

Lessons learned from 14 successful cases across five UN agencies working in global health outlining what has worked, where, for whom, why and how, to promote gender equality in health, institutionally and programmatically Key elements critical to leveraging opportunities and creating substantial and sustainable gains in gender equality within health programmes and institutional structures How COVID19 may be used as an opportunity to do things differently, with a heightened urgency to learn from past experiences and build on successes Download the executive summary