This blog was written by Connie Sensor of the LWV UN Observer Group.

In January 2025,  the United Nations released a report highlighting the underrepresentation of women in political power. According to their research: 

• Only 25 countries were led by a female head of state or government.
• Only 22.9% of cabinet ministers worldwide were female, with underrepresentation in foreign affairs and defense.  
• As of 2024, 113 countries worldwide had never had a woman serve as Head of State or Government.  
• As of 2024, women made up a mere 21% of UN permanent representatives. Since 1947, just 7% of all ambassadors have been women, and 73 countries have never had a female representative.  

As we celebrate UN Day and the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, we must note that there is still the huge issue of gender inequality within an institution designed to defend human rights and promote peace, security, and sustainable development around the world.  

Increasing gender equity and representation isn’t just a symbolic gesture. Studies suggest it’s also directly connected to international well-being. Women’s empowerment and gender equality are notably linked to “more peaceful and stable outcomes” internationally. Larger gender gaps tend to correlate with higher involvement in inter- and intrastate conflict. Further, “the severity of violence used in international conflict decreases with higher gender equality.” Likewise, evidence suggests that peace processes that engage more women tend to last longer.  

Women’s Leadership in the UN 

In the 80 years since the founding of the United Nations, eight Secretaries-General have led the institution, all of whom have been men. This year, the United Nations begins its search for a new Secretary-General to succeed Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year term is set to conclude in 2026. There is a large effort from many groups to elect a female Secretary-General, whose term would begin in January 2027.  

At the recent UN General Assembly, Gabriel Boric Font, President of Chile, noted that it was “time to remedy” the UN’s historic lack of a female Secretary-General. Pointing out that it was Latin America’s turn to fill the post, he nominated Michelle Bachelet, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and two-time President of Chile.  Meeting coverage noted that “having a woman at the helm of the UN would send a clear signal that nowhere is closed off to women. 

What is the UN’s Role in Women’s Leadership? 

The UN is well-positioned to promote and analyze women’s advancement at the local, regional, and national levels, and to identify strategies that can be implemented by national governments.  

Per UN Women, “achieving gender parity is an urgent priority, not only as a basic human right, but also as it is essential” to the UN’s efficacy and credibility. In 2017, the UN launched a “system-wide strategy on gender parity,” with commitments aimed at achieving parity by 2028. It addresses issues like unconscious bias in recruitment and aims to create a more inclusive workplace by transforming institutional culture. 

Female representation in the ranks of the UN is essential given its role as an international leader in human rights. According to a statement from Bahá’í International Community, “The UN’s role will continue to be critical in raising awareness of, and advocating for, the principle of gender equality as a fundamental prerequisite for peace on the international stage, as well as in shaping relevant international policy frameworks. The UN is also uniquely positioned to model, within its own internal structures and operations, a culture that dismantles patriarchal norms and centers approaches that are inclusive and collaborative.” 

At this critical time when women’s rights are backsliding globally, we need to think not only about what is broken, but also about what is possible. Sima Bahous, UN Under Secretary General and UN Women Executive Director, recently stated, "When women lead, peace follows."

We couldn’t agree more.