António Guterres

“We need more women as political leaders because our country’s future development depends on the active citizenship of our women, in their families, in their communities and places of work, in our schools and universities, and in public life. As decision-makers it is women who will be at the forefront of advancing policies and programmes that protect society’s most vulnerable. Gender equality is a fundamental democratic value and a developmental imperative for all of humanity. Politics will be devoid of relevance as long as it is devoid of women who are capable and available to lead society. It was our own Founding President, Nelson Mandela, who said insightfully: “If you want to change the world, help the women.”

We need more women as political leaders because gender equality is essentially about power. We live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture that, unfortunately, still permeates many policies adopted in different parts of the globe. Women’s leadership will unlock the transformational change we seek. Having more women decision-makers leads to more inclusive solutions that benefit us all.