10 Ways to Add Your Voice to GWL Voices’ Campaign Madam Secretary-General

As the United Nations moves closer to the Security Council’s decision on who should lead the organization next, the question is no longer only who should become the next Secretary-General, but what kind of leadership the world needs. At a time of mounting geopolitical tensions, widening inequalities, and growing distrust in multilateral institutions, the UN requires leadership that is inclusive, collaborative, and capable of building consensus across divides.

For nearly 80 years, however, one perspective has remained absent from the organization’s highest office: that of a woman. Through the Madam Secretary-General campaign, GWL Voices calls for breaking this historic pattern, not simply to achieve gender balance, but because today’s global challenges demand a broader range of leadership experiences and approaches. Appointing the first woman Secretary-General would strengthen the legitimacy of the United Nations while bringing the inclusive, consensus-driven, and forward-looking leadership needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.

3 Reasons on why do we need #MadamSecretaryGeneral?

1. The leadership of the United Nations should reflect the diversity of the world it serves:In its more than 80 years of history, the United Nations has never had a woman Secretary-General. This absence is not only a question of representation; it is a question of legitimacy. The UN was founded on the principles of equality and inclusion, and its Charter begins with the words “We the Peoples”—not “We the Men.”
2. The United Nations needs a new kind of leadership to address today’s global challenges:The UN is facing one of the most complex moments in its history: rising geopolitical tensions, deepening inequalities, accelerating climate impacts, and declining trust in multilateral institutions. For over eight decades, the organization has been led by leaders with broadly similar profiles and experiences. The appointment of a woman Secretary-General would not simply mean changing a person; it would mean opening the door to different perspectives and leadership approaches. Women leaders are often associated with qualities such as active listening, consensus-building, collaborative problem-solving, and strategic resource management, skills that are increasingly essential in a fragmented world where cooperation is more necessary than ever.
3. The selection of the next Secretary-General is a historic opportunity for change: A new Secretary-General will take office in 2027, creating a rare opportunity to align the UN’s leadership with the values it promotes globally. Breaking with long-standing patterns is not about symbolism alone; it is about strengthening the credibility, effectiveness, and relevance of the organization for the future.

10 Ways to add your voice to the Madam Secretary General campaign

1. Be aware of the facts: Information is critical to driving change. Read the one pager of Madam Secretary General and GWL Voices’ flagship report, Women in Multilateralism 2026 (WIM)
2. Raise awareness within your networks: Now that you have the information you need, encourage your networks to get involved and take action.
3. Speak about the need for a woman Secretary-General during relevant speaking engagements: Every platform is an opportunity to raise awareness. We encourage you to use your speaking engagements and public appearances to highlight why the next UN Secretary-General should be a woman and why this moment calls for inclusive and representative leadership.
4. Use #MadamSecretaryGeneral on your socials: use the hashtag to spread the word or publish insights.
5. Organize a conversation or panel: Host a discussion at your university, workplace, or within your community on why gender-equal leadership at the highest level of the UN matters.
6. Write an opinion piece or blog: Publish an op-ed, blog post, or article highlighting the importance of appointing the first woman UN Secretary-General and what it would mean for multilateralism and global leadership.
7. Celebrate women leaders: Highlight the achievements of women leaders in diplomacy, peacebuilding, humanitarian action, and international affairs to demonstrate the depth of qualified women ready to lead.
8. Connect with us and stay engaged via our website and social media channels: For more updates on the campaign, diverse perspectives, and articles on GWL Voices’ work, explore our website and stay connected via our social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok and LinkedIn.
9. Support through creative expression: Create artwork, illustrations, photography, or short films inspired by the campaign's message and share them to reach new audiences.
10. Engage young people: Bring the conversation into schools, universities, Model UN conferences, and youth networks to inspire the next generation of global leaders to advocate for equal representation.