United Nations Deputy Secretar-General, Amina Mohammed has called on Nations to make women’s leadership more visible, to acknowledge the achievements of women in diplomatic space, while called attention to journey to achieve women’s full and equal participation in all areas of decision-making and political life.
Mohammed writes to commemorate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy on June 24, she welcomed the initiative of the United Nations General Assembly, under the leadership of the President of the seventy-sixth session of Assembly, H.E. Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives on women’s leadership.
She said, “Only 4 of the 850 delegates who signed the Charter of the United Nations in 1945 were women. Since then, we have seen an increase in women’s representation in diplomacy worldwide and at the United Nations, but it has not been at the speed or pace we need. In fact, far too often, decision-making spaces are void of women.
“One of the greatest achievements of the United Nations and multi- lateralism was the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948—spearheaded by a woman, Eleanor Roosevelt—through which all nations recognized the equal rights of men and women as fundamental human rights”, she adeed.
UN Deputy Chief stressed that Diplomacy continues to be a male bastion globally. “Diplomatic powers wielded by leaders at the highest levels of the State remain mostly in the hands of men. Images of the representatives of the G7 and G20 countries remain male-dominated.
“All-male panels are too often the norm. Women serve as Heads of State and/or Government in only 28 countries; there are currently 16 women Heads of State (10.6 per cent of countries) and 16 women Heads of Government (8.3 per cent).
“At the ministerial level, the sphere of foreign affairs remains disproportionately dominated by men, with women ministers holding just 25 per cent of this type of portfolio. At the parliamentary level, women hold just 26.5 per cent of seats”, Mohammed revealed.
She pressed that as the world’s Organization, UN need to do better, saying that this has been a rallying call for the Secretary-General for the past six years. “Today, we have made laudable progress, demonstrating clearly what political will, institutional and cultural change, and special measures can achieve.
Mohammed recalled in 2020, how parity was attained among all senior leaders of the United Nations for the first time in the history of the Organization. “We are also at full parity and have attained greater geographic diversity among our resident coordinators.
“The United Nations is on track to achieve parity at all levels in entities at Headquarters in the next five years. We continue to struggle, however, with the challenges of greater inclusion in the field, particularly in peacekeeping missions, at all levels.
“This is where our interactions with the communities we serve are most frequent, challenges for countries are the greatest, and the need for diversity to strengthen our efforts is more critical than ever. For these reasons, we are amplifying our efforts and are determined to achieve goals Secretary-General set for us”, she said.
UN Deputy Chief noted that throughout history, women have made essential contributions to politics and international relations when they have a seat at the table, saying the negotiations concerning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“And in the Liberian and Irish peace processes, are clear examples of the fundamental roles women have played in achieving durable success. Women’s equal participation and representation at levels of decision- making are key to unlocking the transformational changes needed to secure a sustainable future”.
She added that Women’s engagement in political processes improves such efforts of more inclusive decisions are made, different voices are heard and solutions are created. “Governments function better, corruption decreases, peace processes improve. Without input of half the world’s population, we cannot develop policies that work for everyone.
“At the United Nations, we, the women working in diplomacy, along with our feminist male allies, have an opportunity to drive forward the change we need. Our Common Agenda the Secretary-General’s vision for the future of global cooperation—offers a unique chance to network inclusive multilateralism, including intergenerational voices.
“This is also why, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I initiated Women Rise for All, to shine a bright light on the difference women’s leadership makes, and how more inclusive governance structures and more diverse negotiating spaces lead to more effective policies and lasting change.
“We need to bring change if we are to secure these benefits for us all, especially those currently left out or left behind. This will require well- calibrated measures and policies designed to support the achievement of women’s rights. It will take calling out and dismantling the structural obstacles to women’s equal participation.
“When we finally achieve full and fair representation, we will be closer to an inclusive, just and prosperous society that is more peaceful, sustainable and equitable, a society that reflects our shared Sustainable Development Goals and the future we all want”, Mohammed said.