As the United Nations marks its 80th year, a sobering reality persists: Every secretary-general has been a man.
Despite the organization’s commitment to equality and empowerment, it is not just a matter of historical oversight; it is a symptom of a chronic anomaly that has plagued the U.N. since its inception — the sidelining of women in leadership.
Merit is not at odds with equality. I support choosing the best candidate, period. But after eight decades without a woman secretary-general, it strains credulity to claim the absence of qualified women.
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About the author
Abdulla Shahid
Abdulla Shahid serves as the international ambassador of the International Communities Organisation, and was the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly where he championed multilateral action, climate diplomacy, and human rights. He has held several senior positions in the government of the Maldives, including minister of foreign affairs. A seasoned diplomat with more than four decades of experience, Shahid has devoted his career to strengthening multilateral cooperation and inclusive global governance.
