Civil society

4.6 Gender inequalities are played out in civil society, and it is in the community that fundamental change will occur. Organisations and groups in civil society, both formal and informal, national and international, provide focal points for debate and advocacy. They support activities and programmes which can promote gender equality. They can lobby governments and the private sector to ensure that policy commitments are delivered and, where necessary, appropriate changes to policies and laws are made. Organisations in civil society can also assist and empower citizens to call governments to account over their commitment, or otherwise, to gender equality goals.