The Secretary-General has received the following statement , which is being circulated in accordance with paragraphs 36 and 37 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 . As a first-time participant in the work of the Commission on the Status of Women , the African Hope Committee commends the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women ( UN-Women ) for working closely with civil society to address the most pressing issues faced by women around the world , in particular in Africa .