“One look at this room shows that not enough has changed,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his opening speech.
The evident male dominance in the lineup of speakers at the UN general debate in New York has reignited the debate about the lack of gender equality in the United Nations. About six hours after the start of the event and after 15 men on the podium, the first woman, Hungarian President Katalin Novak, took the podium on Tuesday. Overall, there were three women among the roughly 35 speakers announced on Tuesday, and four of the nearly 40 on Wednesday.
“Only four women signed our founding document,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his opening speech. “One look at this room shows that not enough has changed.” Gender equality is the solution to many of the world’s problems, continued Guterres. “It is not a favor to women, but it is essential to guarantee a better future for everyone.”
Several other speakers also addressed the topic. “It should concern us all that the majority of people sitting in this meeting room are men,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing the general debate. “The question we must ask: Where are the women of this world? The women of the world have the right to be here and to represent the views of the women of the world.” This time, Ramaphosa continued, his delegation consisted only of women. (APA/dpa)