UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It supports projects that promote women's economic security, human rights and status.



The role of UNIFEM UK, the organisation representing UNIFEM in the UK, is to:



- Raise awareness of women's issues across the world



- Raise money to fund UNIFEM projects



- Lobby the UK Government in support of UNIFEM



UNIFEM has four strategic goals:



- Reducing Women's Poverty and Exclusion



- Ending Violence Against Women



- Halting the Spread of HIV/AIDS



- Achieving Gender Equality in Democratic Governance



Members have been active supporters of the Make Poverty History Campaign in the past year and participated in its rally. They have organised fundraising events such as a 'sparse lunch' and at other events had presentations on Habitat for Humanity and on the work of the Edinburgh Refugee Centre. The Branch is keen to look at how links with both these organisations can be developed. The Branch has participated in UNA events and also contributed to Scottish Women's Convention work and the Cross Party Group on International Development in the Scottish Parliament.