By the year 2016, the United Nations (UN) must appoint the most competent and suitable person for the position of Secretary-General. In this regard, multiple voices have come to suggest that it is time to consider the possibility of selecting a woman for this post. Essentially, this entails an equal consideration of all candidates, that is to say, of both men and women.
In fact, it is necessary to highlight that, to date, the UN has been under the leadership of eight male Secretary-Generals and, throughout the sixteen selection processes carried out, a female candidate has never been openly considered.
For decades, United Nations has worked, with tenacity and determination, towards the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, and has promoted historical landmarks, such as the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, which establishes the commitment of all countries, to defend and promote women´s rights. It also set forth the goal of achieving, by the year 2000, the quantitative parity of the United Nations’ staff, outlining the objective, to take the necessary measures for ensuring the equitable access of women, and their full participation in power structures and decision-making positions.
Furthermore, in July 2010, the General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations entity devoted to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, with the enhanced function of leading and coordinating the work of the United Nations System with this purpose.
This year, we commemorate 20 years of the historical agreement that allowed the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action. We also celebrate the 15th anniversary of Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which promotes the participation of women in all processes related to peace and international security.
In this context, the United Nations, following its duty of observance of Human Rights, has the responsibility to lead by example, and to ensure the equal and active participation of women at all levels of decision-making. This includes, of course, the Secretary-General.
Opening a discussion on this matter is a necessary step towards the effective incorporation of a gender-inclusive perspective in all UN’s policies and programs.
Resolution 11 (I), adopted by the General Assembly in 1946, states that the United Nations shall “enable a man of eminence and high attainment” to serve as Secretary-General. There is no doubt, that in the XXIst Century, countless women also comply with these requirements. Many women also meet the criteria stipulated in resolution 60/286, namely possessing and displaying extensive leadership, and administrative and diplomatic experience.
Consequently, we propose the creation of the “Group of Friends in favor of a Woman Candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations”, that will assume the challenge of promoting the idea that the time has come for a woman to hold the highest position at the United Nations. As a group, we would commit ourselves to encouraging Governments and women leaders to openly express their interest for the position.
Members of the Group of Friends (December 2015)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Bulgaria
- Cabo Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cyprus
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- Germany
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Japan
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Malawi
- Malta
- Monaco
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Nauru
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Poland
- Qatar
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Timor-Leste
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Uruguay
