The United Nations (U.N.) designated 1975 International Women's Year. The U.N. charter had long stated that the global organization is dedicated to human rights with no discrimination based on sex. During the 1970s, feminism was gaining momentum as an international social and political movement. The U.N. General Assembly declared International Women's Year and organized the first World Conference on Women, held in Mexico City during the summer of 1975.
After the conference, the U.N. expanded the recognition of International Women's Year by declaring 1976-1985 the U.N. Decade for Women. This highlighted the need for women's rights and asserted a U.N. commitment to equality. Some critics perceived the declarations as political gestures rather than productive action. The UN also established a Voluntary Fund for the U.N. Decade for Women, which became UNIFEM, to further work on women's issues.