CIM Mission and Mandate

Established in 1928, the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) was the first inter-governmental agency established to ensure recognition of women's human rights.

CIM is made up of 34 Delegates, one for each OAS Member State, and has become the principal forum for debating and formulating policy on women's rights and gender equality in the Americas.

CIM Delegates are designated by their respective governments. These representatives meet every three years during the Assembly of Delegates. The Assembly is CIM's highest authority - it established the policies and program of work of the Commission. 

The Assembly also elects a nine-member Executive Committee, which meets once or twice a year in order to address and resolve more routine matters.

Functions of the CIM

  • Support Member States, upon their request, in their compliance with their respective international and inter-American commitments on women’s human rights and gender equity and equality, including the implementation of international and inter-American instruments, the provisions adopted by specialized international or inter-American conferences, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (“the General Assembly”), the Summits of the Americas and the Assembly of Delegates of the CIM (the “Assembly”)
  • Support the efforts of Member States to promote full and equal access, participation, representation, leadership and influence of women in the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural spheres
  • Promote the participation and leadership of women in the planning and implementation of public policies and programs
  • Advise the Organization in all matters related to women's rights and gender equality
  • Collaborate with Member States, other international organizations, civil society groups, academia and the private sector in support of women's rights and gender equality in the hemisphere
  • Report, on an annual basis, to the General Assembly on the work of the CIM, including relevant aspects of the status of women in the hemisphere, on progress made in terms of women's human rights and gender equity and equality and on specific issues of concern in these areas, and to elevate concrete recommendations to the Member States in relation to the above
  • Contribute to the development of international and inter-American jurisprudence on women’s human rights and gender equity and equality
  • Foster the formulation and adoption of inter-American instruments for the recognition of women as rights holders and agents of democracy
  • Promote the adoption or adaptation of the necessary legal measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women