No woman has served as Secretary-General since the founding of the United Nations. Global Women Leaders Voices is calling for an end to this dynamic.
Photo: International Day for Women in Diplomacy/UN
Fabienne Hara, Deputy Director General of the Paris Peace Forum; Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former French Minister of Education and Women’s Rights; Arancha González Laya, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po and former Spanish Foreign Minister; and Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group, have joined forces in advocating for the “Madame Secretary-General” campaign.
Launched by Global Women Leaders Voices, this initiative seeks to break a nearly eight-decade tradition of male leadership at the United Nations by championing the appointment of a female Secretary-General. The campaign underscores the urgent need for diverse and inclusive leadership to address complex global challenges more effectively, ensuring that the UN reflects the voices and experiences of the world it serves.
In their op-ed for Le Monde titled “‘Putting a woman at the head of the UN is key to rebuilding a functioning global order” the authors argue that appointing a woman as Secretary-General would not only break a significant glass ceiling but also bring fresh perspectives essential for tackling issues like poverty, conflict, and climate change, which disproportionately affect women and girls.
The op-ed also reflects on the 2016 efforts to elect a female UN leader, where despite several qualified women candidates, a male was ultimately chosen. The authors stress that the current global landscape—with increasing female leadership in various international organizations and nations—presents an opportune moment to support the “Madame Secretary-General” campaign. They call upon governments and civil society to back this initiative, emphasizing that numerous outstanding women are well-qualified to lead the UN.
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