Gender equality remains a central issue of our time, and recent United Nations data on women highlights the critical importance of putting women at the forefront, particularly as many countries move toward vote in 2024.
On the occasion of International Women in Diplomacy Day, celebrated around the world, it is essential to recognize the multiple ways in which women are breaking barriers and playing a decisive role in the field of diplomacy. The call from UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous is clear: “As many countries prepare to vote this year, we must all put women at the forefront, at the pinnacle of power, wherever and whenever that matters the most.”
The figures don’t lie: as of January 1, 2024, women do not represent even a third of cabinet ministers in 141 countries, and in seven countries, no women are present in ministerial cabinets. At the same time, only 23% of ministerial positions are held by women. Women are also underrepresented as permanent representatives to the UN.
Statistics reveal that, as of May 2024, women hold 25% of high-level ambassadorial positions in New York, 35% in Geneva and 33.5% in Vienna. Sima Bahous’ message is clear: “Our work is guided by the conviction that when women lead, the world is better off for everyone and for the planet. The equal participation of women in governance and leadership is essential to improving the life of all.”
Electing and appointing women to leadership positions demonstrates strong political will for gender equality and demonstrates a collective commitment to addressing the challenges facing the world today. As we prepare to celebrate 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world’s most progressive document to advance women’s rights, UN Women continues its work to ensure that Women lead and thrive in creating and implementing positive change, including holding the highest positions of power.
The Beijing Conference in 1995 consolidated five decades of legislative progress aimed at guaranteeing equality between women and men in law and in practice. This data shows that the road to true parity is still long, but progress can be made if we implement concrete actions to promote the representation of women in all areas of society.