Lessons from the Creation of UN Women for the UN80 Reform Effort

WHITE PAPER | November 2025
As the UN80 reform process moves forward, it is a useful moment to look back at some of the key lessons from the 2010 creation of UN Women. The importance of building demand for reform, allowing sufficient time and space to achieve alignment on desired outcomes and mandates, and injecting outside leadership and expertise into organizational planning all stand out as key points to consider in the current moment. This brief white paper shares some of the insights gleaned from a literature review of the creation of UN Women. The bottom line up-front for today’s reform efforts: well-designed restructures backed by a relatively clear vision and broad political and diplomatic support can lead to more effective operations – but failing to put those elements in place will likely lead to negative outcomes.