The three remaining candidates vying for leadership of the World Health Organization have all expressed interest in achieving gender parity at the U.N. aid agency, but the question remains: How can they reach that goal when men dominate in most regional offices, in higher positions, and in the applicant pool?
Devex asked the prospective director-generals what concrete policies they would implement to improve the gender balance and how important they consider the issue.
The only female candidate in the running, Sania Nishtar of Pakistan, said it would be an immediate priority from day one as she undertakes the task of appointing individuals to senior management positions. She would review the WHO’s current policies, looking at how the aid agency carries out promotions, performance incentives and evaluation, to ensure staff aren’t subjected to any form of discrimination.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
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