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universally accepted – and implemented – for men, or three global leaders, could reshape the
the bene t and to the advantage of all humanity,” international order, the UN may seem a tiny
said former UNGA President Francis, “I eagerly tight island for ‘idealistic norms” -- in the sea
await the day when more women assume the of pragmaticism and realism. And having a
position I hold today.” woman as the top UN Chief may not change the
geopolitical trajectory while trust in institutions,
When women have “seats at the table,” peace including the UN, seems eroding. But lacking
agreements last longer, advocates say, citing women’s voice at the highest echelon of power,
empirical studies. When Parliaments have more in the UN or countries’ statecra , is the lack of
women in their ranks, they are more likely to perspective -- for more sound policy choices and
ratify environmental treaties and adopt policies global action for eight billion peoples, half men
to tackle climate change or other social ills and half women, gender proponents say.
a ecting peoples. Gender champions now aim
to end the era of having quali ed women in the e narratives in reshaping the history of
number-two positions in leadership but in the women in diplomacy have focused on making
number-one top posts in politics and diplomacy. gender issues part of the global peace agenda,
“ e male monopoly of the UN’s highest o ce driven by woman and man advocates with “the
must end,” proponents say. As the next UN collective frustration” as well as de ance and
Secretary-General will start his/her ve-year hope to place more women in the top posts in
term January 2027, rallies by civil society groups diplomacy and politics. Woven as part of the
and gender advocates have begun this year for a world history of war and peace, this version of
woman UN Secretary-General. women-in-diplomacy history will likely be more
cross-civilizational as its authors across regions
In the UN grapevine, contenders’ names are advocates of all genders and age, empowered
have emerged from Latin America and the with digital and public diplomacy, in all corners
Caribbean and other regions. e oated names, of the globe.
among others, are Michelle Bachelet, a two-
time president of Chile and former UN High It’s no longer the history narrated by the
Commissioner for Human Rights, Mia Mottley, dominant, real or self-assessed.
Barbados’s Prime Minister, María Fernanda
Espinosa Garcés, former UNGA President Suchada Kulawat is an analyst who served
and ex-foreign minister of Ecuador, Alicia with ailand’s Foreign Ministry, the UNDP’s
Bárcena, Mexico’s environment and natural Bangkok regional o ce, Permanent Mission of
resources minister and Amina Mohammed, UN ailand to the UN, and with the UN in New
Deputy Secretary-General and Nigeria’s former York Headquarters and UN peace missions in
environment minister. In the world where three Asia-Paci c, Africa and Europe.

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