United Nations activities in support of democracy and governance are carried out through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), among others. Such activities are inseparable from the UN’s work in promoting human rights, development, and peace and security, and include:
assisting parliaments to enhance the checks and balances that allow democracy to thrive;
helping to strengthen the impartiality and effectiveness of national human rights institutions and justice and security systems;
helping to develop legislation and media capacities to ensure freedom of expression and access to information;
assisting to develop policies and legislation to guarantee the right to freedom of association and of peaceful assembly;
providing electoral assistance and long-term support for electoral management bodies;
promoting women’s participation in political and public life.
