Equality Now Calls for Woman Leader of United Nations

There are growing speculations and hopes that a woman will be the next secretary-general of the United Nations. After 60 years of male leadership, Equality Now and other groups are advocating for a woman to take the helm of the UN after Kofi Annan’s term ends in December.

According to Radio Free Europe:

“An international effort is afoot to encourage the selection of a woman to serve as the next secretary-general of the United Nations. Equality Now, a public-awareness group to combat violence and discrimination against women, is behind the campaign.”

“The United Nations is losing out by not really embracing the fact that there are several qualified women around the world -- it might be missing out on huge potential," [Equality Now’s Executive Director, Jackie] Hunt says. "What we are saying is, 'Let’s have a transparent process' -- which there isn’t at the moment -- 'Let’s see what qualified candidates are around the world' -- including women -- and, 'Let’s make the best choice.'”

“I think it would be wonderful if it were [a woman elected], and it would send a very powerful message to the world," [Carne] Ross [UN affairs expert] says. "And my experience with women diplomats and women statepersons is that they are extremely good, but unfortunately I think it’s unlikely to happen. I think it’s going to be very, very difficult to select the next UN secretary-general in the very charged and divided world that we have today. It [will] be very hard to find any figure who carries the support of all the main powers in the UN.”

Click here to read the whole story.