Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 April 2026
Correspondence to the Minister of State for International Development & Africa relating to The proposed merger of UN Women and the UNFPA, 30 March 2026
Summary
The International Development Committee writes to the Minister of State for International Development on the UN's proposed merger of UN Women and UNFPA. The committee expresses concern that the merger—ostensibly aimed at efficiency—may reflect global backsliding on gender equality and an anti-gender movement. It questions whether the UK will vote against the proposal and how the government will strengthen support for women and girls if it proceeds.
Key findings
- UN Women and UNFPA have distinct mandates: UN Women upholds women's human rights; UNFPA focuses on sexual reproductive health, population development, gender-based violence, and youth empowerment.
- The committee notes both organisations have low budgets and that larger savings could be achieved by merging other agencies, suggesting efficiency rationale may not be primary.
- The committee links the merger proposal to a broader pattern of global backsliding on gender equality and the rise of anti-gender movements, drawing on evidence from its own inquiry 'Peace under pressure: Protecting Women, Peace and Security.'
- The committee is concerned that mainstreaming gender programmes through merger will dilute focus on women and girls, erode gender expertise, and weaken policy development and programme delivery.
- The committee seeks clarification on UK voting position, government concern about UN reducing focus on women and girls, and how the UK will demonstrate stronger leadership on gender if the merger proceeds.
Tone
CriticalTopics
gender-equalityinternational-developmentunited-nationswomen-rightsglobal-governance
Key actors
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Sarah Champion MP, International Development Committee, UN Women, UNFPA, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Notable line
“We are concerned that this merger is not solely about savings. Rather, we are concerned that the merger forms part of the global backsliding on gender equality and the rise of an anti-gender …”
Key Quotes
“We are concerned that this merger is not solely about savings. Rather, we are concerned that the merger forms part of the global backsliding on gender equality and the rise of an anti-gender movement.”
“The evidence we gathered as part of this inquiry raised concerns about diluting programmes for women and girls through mainstreaming, a loss in gender expertise and the implications this will have for policy development and program delivery.”
“We trust that you will do all you can to ensure the UK stands firm against the global backsliding on gender equality.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗