<p><span class="p-body">A team of graduate students at the Center for Global Affairs (CGA) developed a tracker that analyzes official statements from UN member states on their support for a woman secretary-general. This tool not only visualizes where countries stand on this critical issue but also holds states accountable for their commitments to gender equality.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The study examines Member States’ public statements at the UN on whether and how to break the 80-year male monopoly on the UN’s top leadership role. The findings show that 47.7% of UN member states have expressed ‘Strong’ or ‘Very Strong’ support for selecting a woman as the next Secretary-General, while another 45.6% want gender equality to be a consideration in the selection process.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Developed in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the 1 for 8 Billion coalition, the tracker categorizes statements into five levels: Very Strong, Strong, Indirect/Implied, Opposed, and No Mention. The results reveal that 28 countries have expressed ‘Very Strong’ support, 64 have shown ‘Strong’ support, 88 fall within the ‘Indirect/Implied’ category, 12 have made no mention of the issue, and one member is opposed. In total, at least 92 member states support welcoming a Madam Secretary-General to take office on January 1, 2027.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Despite decades of advocacy, the UN’s highest leadership position has never been held by a woman. This project is about more than just tracking statements- it’s about challenging systemic barriers and advocating for a future where women are equally represented at the highest levels of decision-making. Being part of this effort has strengthened my commitment to advancing gender equality, both in my studies and in my career, and I hope to keep working on this matter in the years ahead.</span></p>