"After 80 years of men-only leadership, it’s time for a woman to serve as UN Secretary-General."
In advance of International Women's Day, The Elders join the call for the next UN Secretary General to be a woman. In the words of Elbegdorj Tsakhia, Former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia and member of The Elders, "The UN’s glass ceiling remains unbroken, and it is vital that we ensure it is fit for purpose in the 21st century. This includes appointing a woman as the next Secretary-General through a fair and transparent process that seeks the most qualified candidate. As the time for member states to make nominations approaches, we urge them to champion this cause and nominate only women candidates. This is our opportunity to drive transformative change and send an unequivocal message that women are essential to solving the world’s most pressing challenges. If we are to build a more stable and united world, we must guarantee that women have an equal voice at the table – not as a symbolic gesture, but as a necessity."
Read Elbegdorj Tsakhia's full statement here.
To learn more about the campaign to elect a female UN Secretary General, visit the 1 for 8 Billion website. This global network is calling for a more transparent and inclusive selection process and is urging Member States to only consider nominating women candidates for the position in 2026. "After 80 years of men-only leadership it is time for a woman to serve as UN Secretary-General. The organization sets standards and expectations for the world; it cannot lead us into a future of gender equality until its own house is in order. Member States should therefore only consider nominating women candidates."
