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Lack of women at global tables of power hinders progress, says top UN official

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Lack of women at global tables of power hinders progress, says top UN official

Source: The Guardian

A lack of women at decision-making tables around the world is hindering progress when it comes to tackling conflicts or improving health and standard of living, the highest ranking woman in the UN has said.

“We’re half the population. And what we bring to the table is incredibly important and it’s missing,” said Amina Mohammed, the United Nations deputy secretary general. “I think it’s why mostly our human development indices are so bad, why we have so many conflicts and we’re unable to come out of the conflicts.”

Since her appointment in 2017, Mohammed has been a constant voice in pushing back against the under-representation of women in politics, diplomacy and even the UN general assembly. Her efforts have helped cast a spotlight on the fact that women remain relegated to the margins of power around the world; last year the global proportion of female lawmakers stood at 26.9%, according to Switzerland’s Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Speaking to the Guardian, Mohammed said “flexing muscle and testosterone” often dominated at tables of power around the world.

“This win, win, win at all costs – I think that would change if women were at the table,” she said.

Read here the full article published by The Guardian on 19 June 2024.

Image by The Guardian

 

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The Guardian

A lack of women at decision-making tables around the world is hindering progress when it comes to tackling conflicts or improving health and standard of living, the highest ranking woman in the UN has said.

“We’re half the population. And what we bring to the table is incredibly important and it’s missing,” said Amina Mohammed, the United Nations deputy secretary general. “I think it’s why mostly our human development indices are so bad, why we have so many conflicts and we’re unable to come out of the conflicts.”

Since her appointment in 2017, Mohammed has been a constant voice in pushing back against the under-representation of women in politics, diplomacy and even the UN general assembly. Her efforts have helped cast a spotlight on the fact that women remain relegated to the margins of power around the world; last year the global proportion of female lawmakers stood at 26.9%, according to Switzerland’s Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Speaking to the Guardian, Mohammed said “flexing muscle and testosterone” often dominated at tables of power around the world.

“This win, win, win at all costs – I think that would change if women were at the table,” she said.

Read here the full article published by The Guardian on 19 June 2024.

Image by The Guardian

 

News
Partner
Inter-Parliamentary Union
Focus areas