Technical Committee for the Study of Gender and Time Use

About the Technical Committee for the Study of Gender and Time Use (CGUT)

Created in 2008, the Technical Committee for the Study of Gender and Time Use (CGUT) aims to encourage the widening of official statistics in Brazil so that gender perspective will be taken into consideration in its production and analysis. In recent years, the CGUT has focused its action on time-use surveys. It has accomplished two internationals seminars on the subject, one in 2010 and another in 2012, and has been a key driver for the pilot research on time use held in Brazil in 2009. The CGUT is currently responsible for the organization of the 35th Conference of IATUR in Brazil.

Coordinated by the Secretariat of Policies for Women (SPM) and composed by the Institute of Applied Economic Research (Ipea) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the CGUT is complemented by two permanent institutional guests: the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Organization of United Nations Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

About the Secretariat of Policies for Women (SPM/PR)

Founded in 2003, the Secretariat of Policies for Women (SPM / PR) is responsible for the formulation of public policies for improving the lives of all Brazilian women and for restating the federal government´s commitment with them. Therefore, it gives direct and immediate advice to the President of the Republic about formulation, coordination and articulation of policies for women.

The Secretariat's actions present remarkable transversality across the federal government in order to establish partnerships with various government agencies to address social and gender inequalities. The production and dissemination of data about these inequalities and the impact on the official statistics have been considered important lines of action. To achieve these purposes, the SPM established the Technical Committee for the Study of Gender and Time Use which has, among its participants, the main responsibles for production and analysis of official statistics in the country. (www.spm.gov.br)

About the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea)

The Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) is a federal public foundation linked to the Strategic Affairs Secretariat of the Presidency. It provides technical and institutional support to government for the formulation and reformulation of public policies and development programs in Brazil. Ipea’s work is made available to society through numerous regular publications and seminars.

Ipea celebrated its 45th Anniversary in September 2009. Its mission is "to produce, coordinate and disseminate knowledge to improve public policy and to contribute to Brazilian development planning." The work of the Institute is based on the current Strategic Planning Cycle, envisaging seven theme areas: Sovereign international inclusion; Macroeconomics for full employment; Strengthening the State, institutions and democracy; 4. Advanced and regionally coordinated productive and technological structure; Economic, social, and urban infrastructure; Social protection, rights protection, and opportunities; Environmental sustainability. Most studies are conducted in partnership with other institutions in Brazil and abroad. (www.ipea.gov.br)

About the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE)

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) is the main provider of data and information in the country and it fulfills the demands of several different segments of civil society, as well of other governmental institutions at federal, state and municipal level. IBGE presents a complete and updated coverage of Brazil, through its main activities, such as production and analysis of statistical information and geographic information; combination and consolidation of the information; dissemination and documentation; and the management of the national statistical and cartographic systems.

IBGE has kept this mission for 76 years: it identifies and analyzes the territory, counts the population, shows how the economy has evolved through the work of people and reveals how they live. In order to guarantee the coverage of the whole national territory, IBGE holds a national network of surveys and dissemination, which is formed by units in all states of Brazil, for example.

The institute was also responsible for implementing the pilot survey on time use conducted in 2009. (www.ibge.gov.br)

About UN-Women Brazil and Southern Cone

The United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, in 2010. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The mission of the institution consists on the support of inter-governmental bodies, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms; help Member States to implement these standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society; hold the UN system accountable for its own commitments on gender equality, including regular monitoring of system-wide progress.

UN Women works, among other issues, for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women and achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. (http://www.unifem.org.br)

About ILO Brazil

The ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'tripartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting Decent Work for all. The institution was founded in 1919, in the wake of a destructive war, to pursue a vision based on the premise that universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice. It became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

The objectives of the organization are: promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work; create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income; enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all; and strengthen tripartism and social dialogue. The activities include the formulation of international policies and programmes to promote basic human rights, improve working and living conditions, and enhance employment opportunities and the creation of international labour standards backed by a unique system to supervise their application. (www.oit.org.br)