Following Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, GEN was established for the purpose of focusing on multi-sectoral and cross-cutting issues faced by women in cyclone-affected areas. The group consists of around 60 national and international NGOs, UN agencies, civil society networks and technical resource persons. Members are typically not-for-profit, non-political groups that share an interest in promoting women’s rights and gender equality. GEN coordinates information-sharing among groups that advocate on behalf of gender equality, facilitates capacity development and training activities, supports data collection and analysis, and engages in advocacy, communications and research. They sponsors a variety of informational and training activities and maintains an extensive database (chiefly in the Burmese language) of civil society organizations and NGOs that provide services or advocate for on behalf of women, children, ethnic minorities, and other shared interests.