The United Nations has been a major player in the global drive for equality of the sexes. How has the world body fared in promoting equality within its own ranks?
Analysis: The UN Charter was the first international agreement proclaiming gender equality as a fundamental human right, and since then, other UN treaties have reaffirmed the principle. Within the UN, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has demonstrated a consistent commitment to organizational reform, including the institution of a more flexible system of promotion for women in the Secretariat. This measure is intended to accelerate the drive for gender parity at the UN.
In the early 1990s the UN made a commitment that it would achieve gender parity by the year 2000, in effect pledging to uphold Article 8 of the UN Charter, which guarantees gender equality in UN organs. Unfortunately, the UN has missed its own deadline, and the number of women in the Secretariat stands at 38% for the professional grades and higher. However, this figure does not adequately reflect the gender balance within decision-making positions in the Secretariat — many women remain at the lower levels of the UN’s hierarchy.
The news is not all bleak. Certain UN agencies have reached gender parity, such as the World Food Programme and the UN Population Fund. Furthermore, some top posts within the UN are held by women, including those of High Commissioners for Human Rights and Refugees.
Why did the UN fail to meet its 2000 deadline? Perhaps the deadline was too ambitious. It is also possible that other Secretariat reforms are taking precedence over the drive for gender equality.
In order to achieve balanced gender representation while still maintaining high standards for promotions, the UN should set manageable goals, so that progress can be measured and reviewed systematically. Also, the Secretary-General’s emphasis on educating employees on gender sensitive issues will help reduce negative attitudes towards women.
The Secretary-General’s demonstrated leadership and commitment to the cause of gender equality should be an example for the entire UN system. The UN’s important global work on the rights of women will be deeply enhanced when the world body itself fulfills the Charter principle of gender equality.
