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Established in 1928, the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) was the first inter-governmental agency stablished to ensure recognition of human rights of women. CIM is made up of 33 Principal Delegates, one for each member state, and has become the principal forum for debating and formulating policy on women's rights in the Americas and gender equality.

CIM Delegates are designated by their respective governments. These representatives meet every two years during the Assembly of Delegates. The Assembly is CIM's highest authority and is responsible for establishing policies and approving the Commission's plans and programs of work.  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

• To identify the areas in which it is necessary to step up the integral participation of women in sustainable human development.
• To formulate strategies aimed at transforming gender roles and the relationship between women and men in all spheres of public and private life
• To propose solutions and to urge governments to take appropriate measures to remove barriers to full and equal participation by women in the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural spheres
• To promote the mobilization, participation and leadership of women in the planning and implementation of public policies and programmes
• To promote women and girls' access to education and training programmes, with particular attention to women in marginalized groups
• To support OAS member states in their implementation the agreements adopted at inter-American and international conferences, during the annual OAS General Assembly, and through inter-American and international Conventions
• To serve as an advisory body to the Secretariat of the Organization of American States and its specialized agencies in all matters related to women's rights and gender equality
• To establish substantive collaboration with other international organizations, civil society groups, and the academic and private sectors in support of women's rights and gender equality in the hemisphere
• To report to the General Assembly of the OAS on the work of the CIM, as well as on all aspects of the status of women in the Hemisphere, on progress made in terms of women's rights and gender equality, on specific issues of concern, and to provide concrete recommendations related to the above.
• To promote the adoption or adaptation of the legal measures needed to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.