What Will It Take to Elect a Madam Secretary General?
- GWL Voices Board
- Madam Secretary General
- Women in Multilateralism
- UN Reform from women's perspective
- Women's Leadership and Representation
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At a pivotal moment for the United Nations and the global women’s rights agenda, GWL Voices is convening a High-Level Dialogue during the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly: What Will It Take to Elect a Madam Secretary-General?
This timely discussion comes as the world commemorates both the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 80th anniversary of the UN itself—an institution that, after eight decades and nine male leaders, has yet to appoint a woman Secretary-General.
Drawing on fresh evidence from the upcoming 2025 GWL Voices report Women in Multilateralism, the dialogue will explore the barriers that continue to limit women’s access to top leadership roles, the opportunities for reform, and the historic significance of ensuring that the next UN Secretary-General reflects true gender equality through the voices of GWL Voices founders and former candidates to SG in 2016.
Panelists
- Irina Bokova, Former Director-General of UNESCO, and GWL Voices Founder
- Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, former UNDP Administrator, and GWL Voices Founder
- Susana Malcorra, Former UN Chef de Cabinet, and GWL Voices Founder and President
- Opening Remarks by: María Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the UN General Assembly, and GWL Voices Executive Director
