UN chief race tests its gender-equality promise
The United Nations is facing pressure to elect its first female secretary-general, amid concerns that the organization does not fully reflect the gender equality it advocates globally. UN Women, the agency pushing for women's rights, acknowledges that achieving gender equality will take 171 years at the current pace, with women facing high rates of sexual violence, early marriage, and underrepresentation in politics and government.
UN Women's Sarah Hendriks noted that the upcoming U.N. General Assembly meeting showed a predominantly male-dominated agenda, despite calls for women to hold the most influential positions worldwide. While there are now seven candidates to replace outgoing secretary-general Antonio Guterres, all but one are women, highlighting the potential for a historic first.
However, gender equality remains a secondary concern in the U.N.'s own agenda, with limited discussion of women's roles in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
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