{"id":237335,"date":"2026-07-23T01:03:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T23:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=237335"},"modified":"2026-07-23T01:07:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T23:07:44","slug":"hundreds-of-leaders-experts-and-organisations-urge-future-un-secretary-general-to-commit-act-and-deliver-on-gender-equality-as-the-united-nations-faces-historic-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/hundreds-of-leaders-experts-and-organisations-urge-future-un-secretary-general-to-commit-act-and-deliver-on-gender-equality-as-the-united-nations-faces-historic-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds of leaders, experts and organisations urge future UN Secretary-General to commit, act and deliver on gender equality as the United Nations faces historic test"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hundreds of leaders, experts and organisations urge future UN Secretary-General to commit, act and deliver on gender equality as the United Nations faces historic test
\n<\/h1>\n
\n

LONDON, July 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As of today, over 200 current and former heads of state, UN leaders, organisations, advocates, practitioners, and researchers from all regions of the world are calling on the next United Nations Secretary-General to commit, act and deliver on five concrete actions to advance gender equality across the UN system during their tenure.<\/p>\n

The open letter<\/a>, coordinated by Global 50\/50<\/a> and published on the same day as the UN Townhall with Secretary General candidates, warns that the United Nations is facing a critical test of its commitment to gender equality at a moment of rising global backlash against women\u2019s rights, shrinking civic space for feminist movements, and growing pressure on funding for gender equality programmes.<\/p>\n

After 80 years and nine Secretaries-General, the United Nations has never been led by a woman. The letter states that this alone warrants change. The signatories<\/a> further argue that the future Secretary-General must be held accountable for how they use their power to drive change for gender equality across the UN system once in office.<\/p>\n

The next Secretary-General will lead the UN at a time when progress across the Sustainable Development Goals is under severe pressure. Gender equality is not a standalone issue: UN Women says women\u2019s empowerment is integral to all 17 SDGs<\/a>, shaping outcomes across poverty, health, education, economic development, climate resilience, peace, and human rights.<\/p>\n

The next Secretary General<\/a> is likely to come from the group of Latin American and Caribbean states, with five of the remaining six candidates coming from this region. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean – ECLAC<\/a> – reports that in 2024 at least 3,828 women were victims of femicide, feminicide or gender-related killings in 26 countries and territories, while the ILO<\/a> reports that women\u2019s labour force participation stood at 52.1%, compared with 74.3% for men. These inequalities directly impact safety, economic resilience, human rights, and sustainable development, illustrating why the next Secretary-General must embed gender analysis, resources, and accountability across the UN system.<\/p>\n

The letter calls on the next Secretary-General to act on five commitments for gender equality:<\/p>\n