UN chief declares creation of UN Women as UN entity

Unveiling the logo were Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general, and Michelle Bachelet, executive director of the UN Women, accompanied by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian president and other dignitaries.

Ban Ki-moon emphasized on women's empowerment as they produce food, raise children, and drive the economy.

"When women take their rightful place at the negotiating table, in the parliament and in leadership positions across society, we can unleash Africa's enormous. The UN Women are here to help reach this goal" said the UN secretary general.

Michelle Bachelet, on her part, said, " A vision of how much more is possible when men and women have equal rights and opportunities will drive the UN Women."

"We will be bold and ambitious in our aspirations. We will also be practical in building an organization that can make a lasting difference in women's lives," she said.

According to the press release from the UN Women, the entity integrates four existing UN organizations, with a greater concentration of resources and expertise expected to accelerate gender equality efforts.

The UN Women will focus on many of its efforts on national programs, including in the 48 African countries it currently supports, said the release.

The new organization's main activities will involve advocating for gender equality, and providing expertise to assist countries in establishing policies, programs and resources for achieving it.

The UN Women will work globally with UN member states to forge international standards and goals for gender equality.

The agreement to create the UN Women came from July 2010 UN General Assembly resolution, and it became operational on Jan. 1, 2011.