Vienna, 5 April 2023 - Gender and human rights mainstreaming helps contribute to a society that is more accessible and equitable for all. In the context of organized crime, gender and human rights dimensions help strengthen national normative and policy responses by taking into account the different and complex ways in which men, women, non-binary and gender diverse people experience organized crime and interact with the criminal justice system. The UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention: from Theory to Practice, with the support from the Government of Canada, is currently developing a Toolkit to assist States in mainstreaming gender and human rights perspectives in the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). |
The draft Toolkit was discussed during a hybrid Expert Group meeting organized by the Global Programme from 27 until 29 March. Over 30 experts from across the world, including policymakers, legislators, and representatives of academia, civil society, and international/regional organizations were invited for the purpose of reviewing and strengthening the Toolkit, as well as identifying further best practices in mainstreaming gender and human rights in normative and policy responses to organized crime. As a result of this meeting, the suggestions provided by the experts will support the development of a Toolkit that is relevant and accessible to a global audience. |
“Human rights are universal, but the pathways each State needs to take to fulfil them are unique.
This Toolkit supports States’ efforts to forge a path that makes sense in their context.”
Marika McAdam, Lead Consultant Gender and Human Rights Toolkit
The Toolkit aims to help policymakers and legislative drafters overcome challenges relating to mainstreaming gender and human rights in normative and policy responses to organized crime. It does so by providing practical guidance in relation to key objectives of preventing and countering organized crime, grouped around the four ‘Ps’ framework, which covers the areas of Preventing organized crime, Pursuing organized criminal groups and their illicit gains, Protecting vulnerable groups and individuals and Promoting cooperation on all levels. The Toolkit also includes case studies from regional and national contexts in order to support the practical and contextual implementation of the Toolkit.
“Gender and human rights should be taken into consideration by States parties when implementing the Organized Crime Convention and when developing legislative responses to transnational organized crime. UNODC is helping to bridge a gap.”
Riikka Puttonen, Programme Manager, UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention: from Theory to Practice
The Toolkit further builds upon a range of publications developed by the Global Programme, including the Organized Crime Strategy Toolkit for Developing High-Impact Strategies, the Issue papers on “Organized Crime and Gender: issues relating to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime” and on “The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and International Human Rights Law”, and the “Model Legislative Provisions against Organized Crime”. |
For more information:
Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention: from Theory to Practice