There has been progress in achieving gender equality and women's empowerment around the world - but the pace is too slow in many regions. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest levels of achievement, primarily because of a devastating combination of national poverty, conflict and the effects of HIV/AIDS. These are among the findings of Progress of the World's Women 2002, the groundbreaking report on women's empowerment produced by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).