1 for 8 Billion has sent an open letter to all UN member states signed by over 160 organisations and over 290 civil society leaders, lawyers, academics, humanitarian workers and UN staffers, signing in their personal capacity. The letter urges member states to support only women candidates and ensure a transparent, inclusive process to select the next Secretary-General with meaningful civil society participation.
Among those supporting the letter in their personal capacity are Winnie Byanyima, Executive director of UNAIDS and former Executive Director of Oxfam; Aïchatou Mindaoudou, senior diplomat and member of GWL Voices; Melanne Verveer, former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues and member of GWL Voices; and Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
The letter was coordinated by the 1 for 8 Billion campaign, in partnership with the Nobel Women’s Initiative, Peace Direct and the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN). It’s signatories represent over 80 countries.
Read the full letter below.
Open letter to all member states of the UN in favour of a woman SG and civil society involvement in the upcoming UN Secretary-General selection process
Dear Member States,
As the next Secretary-General selection process approaches, we ask you to support women candidates and insist on civil society inclusion in the upcoming process.
We live in grave and divisive times. The upcoming appointment will shape whether the United Nations can rise to the formidable challenges facing humanity. The world not only needs a credible and effective UN leader, it also needs an appointment process that confers the legitimacy, popular support, and moral authority required to drive forward the UN’s agenda.
After 80 years of male leadership, as the UN’s normative power wanes and inequality can no longer be tolerated, one principle stands out: the next Secretary-General must be a woman — a leader with a proven record on gender equality and a steadfast commitment to peace, human rights, sustainable development, multilateralism, and the inclusion of civil society.
Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a core guiding principle of the United Nations. Supporting this measure is in line with international obligations under the UN Charter and the CEDAW Convention, and with the UN’s own commitment to gender parity, recognized as an operational necessity to strengthen the Organization’s credibility and impact, and as a necessary foundation for a peaceful, fair and sustainable world. The Organization simply cannot be effective if it continues to be seen as an 80+ year old beacon of inequality.
Together with the 1 for 8 Billion campaign we urge your government to show decisive leadership: commit publicly and at the highest level to only supporting women candidates in the upcoming Secretary-General selection process while encouraging all states to do the same.
To those who may question whether emphasizing women’s leadership undermines merit, we offer a clear response: it does not — it restores it. For too long, the global leadership landscape has been blighted by structures that narrow the field of opportunity; that privilege the familiar over the qualified. The persistent absence of women at the helm of the UN is not the result of a lack of merit among women; it is evidence of systemic barriers that continue to obstruct it.
This is a historic moment that requires a new approach. For male leaders, it should mean supporting women to bring their vision, experience, and leadership to the forefront of the UN.
We also ask Member States to promote a transparent, inclusive selection process with the meaningful participation of civil society. The nature of the appointment process can make or break the credibility and mandate of the successful candidate. An accountable process, open to and inclusive of the people the UN serves, is vital to help revitalise the UN, enhance its effectiveness and reaffirm its popular appeal.
The credibility and future of the United Nations depend on change. This is a moment for courage. This is a moment for states to champion equality, transparency, and inclusion.
We the peoples of the United Nations cannot afford anything less.
Yours faithfully,
Signed:
[Organisations]
1 for 8 Billion
Nobel Women’s Initiative
Peace Direct
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
UNA-UK
GQUAL Campaign
Plataforma CIPÓ
CIVICUS
Woman SG
Southern Voice
ABC Green School
Acción Ciudadana por la Democracia y el Desarrollo
ActionAid Brasil
Africa Policy Research Institute
African Women Network of Afcfta (AWNA)
African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD Initiative)
Alliance des Jeunes pour la Sauvegarde des Acquis Démocratiques AJSAD
alliance Politica
American Friends Service Committee
APDH
Asociación Cauce
Asociación Civil Comunicación para la Igualdad
Asociación Civil por la Igualdad y la Justicia
Asociación de personas que ejercen el trabajo sexual "Miluska Vida y Dignidad"
Asociación por la Vida ASOVIDA
Asociación Pro Derechos HUmanos
Association Malienne pour la Sauvegarde du Bien être Familial
Atlas Movement
ATRAHDOM
B&M Consultoras
Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal (BJSD)
Banka Earth Foundation
Bastion Vert International
Brasileiros no Exterior - Plataforma de Dados sobre a emigração brasileira
Cambodian Institute for Democracy
Cátedra de la Paz/ Universidad de Los Andes
CBD Women's Caucus
Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)
Centre for Human Rights-Niš
Centro de Asistencia Legal a Pueblos Indigenas (CALPI)
Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos "Segundo Montes Mozo SJ" (CSMM)
Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos
Centro Flora Tristán Perú- Articulacion Feminista Marcosur, America Latina y Caribe
Centro Jurídico por los Derechos Humanos
CENTRO MUJERES AC
Centro Mujeres Graciela Hierro
Cepei
Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP)
Cisfem Centro de Investigación, formación y estudios para la mujer
Citizen Voice and Actions( CVA Rwanda)
Civic Voices Initiative
Civil Society and Human Rights Network
Climate Watch Thailand
Coalition for the UN We Need
Colectiva Discamexiquense
Colectiva por el Derecho a Decidir
Colectivo Género y Teología para el Desarrollo
Colectivo Uniones Perú
Coletivo Negro de Relações Internacionais
Colombian Commission of Jurists
Comisión Episcopal de Acción Social - CEAS
Community Action for Health and Development
CSTM
Delibera Brasil
Democracy Without Borders
DEMUS - Estudio para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer
Department of Defence
Echo Equal Voices
Eco Maxei AC
Equipo de Reflexión, Investigación y Comunicación (ERIC-SJ)
European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN)
European Women Lawyers Association
Foro de Mujeres por la Igualdad de Oportunidades
Forus
FOSDEH
Fundació Irla
Fundación Chile Sin Ecocidio
Fundación Ciudadanía Inteligente
FUNDACION ECUMENICA PARA EL DESARROLLO Y LA PAZ - FEDEPAZ
FUNDACION GEMA- GENERO Y MASCULIIDADES
Fundacion Mujeres en Igualdad
Fundacion Multitudes
Fundación para la Justicia
Fundación SALVA
Fundación Victimas Vulnerables Mujeres Afro Independientes(FUNVIMUFROIN)
Girl Up
Global Governance Innovation Network
Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Green Shield Africa
Human Environmental Association for Development HEAD
Indigo Côte d'Ivoire
Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti
INSTITUTO DUCLIMA
Instituto Lamparina
Integrity Initiatives International
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
International Youth Think Tank
IPBF
Ivy Foundation
JUSTA
Juventud Unida en Acción
kingdom investment group
Lesbianas Independientes Feministas Soc-LIFS
Liga Merideña contra el sida
MANODIVERSA
Mensen met een Missie (MM)
Movimento Mulheres Negras Decidem
Movimiento Autónomo de Mujeres
Mujeres afropolitica internacional
Mujeres Construyendo
Nalafem
Network for Women's Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT)
Nuru Trust Network
Observatorio Venezolano DDHHMujeres
One Future Collective
Onigbinde
OPENMUJER
Organisation Paysanne pour le Développement Durable
Otros Cruces
Oxfam International
Pan African Positive Women's Coalition-Zimbabwe
Pan African Women Political Leaders Movement ( PAWLEM)
PAX
Plataforma Mujeres y Derechos Tierra y Territorios de la IULC LAC
Progress & Change Partnerships
Protection Woman and Girls
Proyecto generar
Red ATHENEA Latinoamericana
Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe - Latin American and Caribbean Womens Health Network
Red Europea de Mujeres Periodistas
Red Internacional de Periodistas con Visión de Género
Red Juvenil Cultura de Paz y VIH
Research for Development
Rohingya Justice Initiative (RJI)
Savie ASBL NGO LGBTQI DRC
SEYAM development, education and service organisation
Sinatsisa Lubombo Women and girls Empowerment organization
Solidar
Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA)
Somos 2074 y muchas más
Students for Global Democracy Uganda
Sukaar Welfare Organization
Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
Taste of north Ghana
The African Leadership Initiatives for Impact - ALII
The Alliance for the Prevention of Atrocity Crimes
The Duty Legacy
Tierra Violeta
Twice As Good (TAG)
Uganda Dialogue Arena
United Cities and Local Governments Women
Voces Vitales de Venezuela
Wambui Kihungi Foundation
WEMA WEALTH AFRICA
Whistleblowers of America
WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform
Womankind Worldwide
WoMEN Against Violence and Exploitation WAVE Foundation Africa
Women for a Change
Women for Women International
Women initiative for development and Democracy (WIFODD)
Women Leadership Agenda Association
Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization
Women's Academy For Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE Africa)
Women’s movement for peace and freedom
Women's Voices Matter
Youth Transforming Narratives
Zarga Organisation for Rural Development
[Individuals]
Abdulai Maubasharatu
Abudi Mafaaza junoo
Abule Mehare Warkagegnehu
Adnan Abdo Mohamed
Ahmad Hudu Abdullahi
Aïchatou Mindaoudou
Aida Garcia Naranjo Morales
Alejandra Lopez Martinez
Alejandra Negrete Morayta
Alejandro Bautista
Alessandra Nilo
Alicia Frohmann
Altagracia Eloisa Balcacer Molina
Amanda Tengan
Ana Carolina Nogueira Tirico
Ana Matilde Gómez R.
Ana Tarazona-Ayin
Andrea Rosales
Annah Rutebuka Muja
Anne Dean
Antony Ngure
Ashley Nyawira Njeri
Atefa Tayeb
Atlegang Diale
Atuhaire Dorothy
Beatrice Lestic
Benita Bageire
Bernice Ayonab
Berta Medrano
Bev Mokaya
Bianca Leite Cruz
Bisanju Mwangale
Brenda Mwarabu
Brinsan Ferreira N'tchalá
Carla Andrea
Carmen Beatriz Garcia Riega
Carolina Andrade Quevedo
Carolina de Moura
Carolina Duenas-Orozco
Catherine Kiuna
Catherine Titeu
Catherine wangari
Cecilia Bailliet
Cecilia Goroyesky
Charity Mandishona
Christine N.Umutoni
Claudia Alejandra Fernández
Claudia Calvin Venero
Claudia Esther Fernández
Claudia Herrmannsdorfer Acosta
Claudio Antonio Adao
Colleen Murray
Dafne Sabanes Plou
Daniel Díaz Cuevas
Daniela Buchmann
David Omondi Aduol
Decky Omukoba
Diana Ovalles
dolores gandulfo
Dr. Quoc-Hung Tran, MD
Drisa Kern
Dunstanette Macauley
Edith Chuchu Byanyima
Edith Phawwana
Elaine Ford
Elena de la Merced Lescano
Elena Vinelli
Eliana Maria Martins Ferreira
Elisa Marchi
Elizabeth MUÑOZ VASQUEZ
Emily Wawira
Endouh Anna Yerimah
Enndiel dos Santos Mendes
Enyseh Teimory
Ernestina Biney
Esther kihara
Fadia Ghanem
Fanny D'Jesús
Fatoumatta Badjie
Felipe Schaeffer Neves
Fernanda Marques Pereira Andreza
Fernanda Samperio Pérez
Fernel Martínez
Flor de María Meza Tananta
Florencia Caro Sachetti
Fredrica Dede Ozoki
Frejus Thoto
Future Jena
Gabriela Juns
Gabriela Muriel Antenzon
Gabriela Vargas G.
Georgia Tumwesigye
Gladys Nyawira Kihuria
Grace Irma
Grace Mutanu Mutia
Graciela Adan
Graciela Goldchluk
GRACIELA NEMESIA DE LA CRUZ PANTAÑA
Grove Harris
Guadalupe González
Guilherme Lara Camargos Tampieri
Heather Barr
Heather D Whitemanrunshim
Helen Ajambo Young
Ian Hackett
Ina Kubbe
Ines Mano
Innocent NAAGABA KASHAKI
Isel Rivero
Ívi de Carvalho
Jackeline Ferreira do Nascimento
Jackson kumakech
Jacqueline Pitanguy
Jagriti Acharyya Chowdhury
Jaime Ferri Durá
Jamella Chesney
JaneMine Ndung'u
Jean Samuel Rosier
jecinta murage
Jéser Abílio de Souza
Jill Raymond
Joan Gracious Omondi
João Paulo Pereira dos Santos
John Bosco
Joselia Abreu de Oliveira
Júlia Jacomini Costa
Julia Mullally
Juliana Logatto Pastore De Castro Blanz
Juliet Khisa
Julius Kanyamunyu
JUNIA PUGLIA
Kairne de Souza Silva
Kamvelihle Mapundu
Katie Whipkey
Lara Fergus
Laura Colpachi
Leila Linhares Barsted
Lía Rodriguez de la Vega
Licelis Josefina Ortiz Carrillo
Liliana Obregón
Lorena Alcazar
Loretta Ching’andu
Lori Duke
Louise Croot
Louise Romain
Lucilene Morandi
Lucy Favor
M.Y. Virginia Vargas Valente
Madina Mwagale Guloba
Maeva Breau
Maite Mompó
Manuel Wally
Marcela Cuesta
Marcia Maria Fonseca Prates
Maria Alejandra
María Balarin
Maria Cecilia Bogliolo
María Celeste Gardey Merino
Maria Cristina Percrval
María del Pilar Solans
Maria Dulce Almeida
Maria Eduarda Souza Martins
Maria Jose Lubertino
Maria Kapardis
Maria Luisa Srorani
Maria Obando
Maria Perera
María Ysabel Cedano García
Mariana Franco Ramos
Mariana Pompeu Egydio
Marie Sophie Sandberg Pettersson
Mariel R.Lucero
Marie Fobis
Marième Cissé
Marina Riofrio
Marisel Soto Castro
Marlies Murray
Marta Mazzeo
Martha Inés Rosenberg
Martin Svatek
Matlhodi Hildah Portia Deane
Maullin Barasa
Maureen Omolo
Mavis Lamisi Apeliba
Medrin Njoki
Melanne Verveer
Micaela Bracco
Mikatekiso Kubayi
Mildred Asiimwe
Minou Tavárez Mirabal
Mirian Leonela Silvestre Tolaba
Mirna Edith Gonzalez
Mirta Iglesias
Mitzi Jonelle Tan
Monica Ester Balada
Monica Gonzalez Casillas
Monica Muñoz Vargas
Mucio Tosta Gonçalves
Muthoni Shongwe
Naa Ayele S Ardayfio 3
Nakabira Nashiba
Natália Bossle Demori
Natalia Massaco Koga
Natalia Peres
Naty Reina Fidelia Archila Leal
Ndeye Fatou CISSE
Neil Dawson
Néstor Genis León
NGA Jacqueline Rosine
Nirvaly Mooloo
Nkatha Muthaura
Noelia Martinez
Noemi Maldonado
Nohemi Argüello Sosa
Norma Durango
Norma Lucía Bermúdez Gómez
Norma Olivares
Nsamba Micheal
Paloma Roman Marugan
Panashe Chigumadzi
Paola Geraldine Mirada Cerna
Patricia Gorri
Paul K.Mwanzia
Paulo Shayer Lyra
Pérez Elustondo María Gabriema
Peter Orvetti
Primrose Manyalo
Prof. Dra. María Ángela Sasaki-Otani (PhD)
Qasim Ali Shah
Rachel Lopes Queiroz Chacur
Raine van Dyle
Ranjini. C R
Roberta Silva Machado
Robson Batista Moraes
Rocio Silva-Santisteban
Roli Harriman
Rosa Maria Ortiz Carron
Rosario Narváez Vargas
Rut diamint
Ruth Kasanga
Ruth Spencer
Sabine Hess
Sabrina Anabela Pighin
Sabrina Frydman
Sabrina Mesquita de Sousa
Sandhya Sanjana
Sara Margaret Seelig
Sarita Sakimi Leon Hurtado
Sayawu Samsia
Seanna Howard
Sergia Galván Ortega
Sergio Alfaro Salas
Shaun Summerfield
Sheila Cristina Tolentino Barbosa
Sheila Y. N. Minkah-Premo
Shinta Ambrose
Shyamala Gomez
Siesi Jane Ebiere
Silvia Alayo Davila
Silvia Apolo
Silvia Ferraro
Siobhan Wall
Sitan DIAKITE
Sofia Arnold
Solome Nakaweesi
Sope Williams
Stella Maris Manzano
Sunmonu oyindamola
Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi
Sylvia Hamata
Tariq Hussain
Teresa Herrera
Teresa Kotturan
Thapi Segoati
Thierry Boudjekeu
Twesiime Orator Njunwoha
Valeria Sardi
Valter Roberto Silvério
Vanessa de Donati Feijó
Vanessa Kiuna
Vanessa Maria Brito de Jesus
Vera Lucia Vidigal Zanetti
Veronica Mukati
Veronica Pereyra Carrillo
Veronica Wakesho Marami
Victoria Tesoriero
Vincente Tibayungwa
Viola Kataike
Vítor de Souza Costa
Winnie Byanyima
Yadira Minero Rodas
Yaiza Alvarez
Yakaka Yerima
Zineb Touimi Benjelloun