1 for 8 Billion is delighted to welcome GQUAL as a member of the campaign Steering Committee.
GQUAL is a global campaign dedicated to achieving gender parity in international institutions, with a particular focus on bodies responsible for imparting international justice and developing international law.
On joining the Steering Committee, GQUAL said:
“GQUAL is honored to join the Steering Committee of the 1 for 8 Billion campaign, which is doing essential work to ensure that, for the first time in the UN’s 80-year history, a woman is appointed as Secretary-General.
A transparent, participatory, and accountable selection process that considers the importance of equality is the only way to ensure that the UN evolves—and sets a powerful precedent for international leadership across multilateral spaces rooted in gender equality, legitimacy, and shared global values.
But this is not only about breaking a historic barrier. It is about transforming leadership itself.
At a time when multilateralism is under strain and global trust in institutions is fragile, the UN needs a leader who reflects the diversity of the world it serves—someone who embodies its founding principles, including human rights, equality, and inclusive cooperation.
We believe this person must be a woman—not just because no woman has held the role, but because global leadership cannot be credible or effective if it continues to exclude half of humanity.
The upcoming appointment will shape the next decade of international decision-making. The world cannot afford another lost opportunity to move toward truly representative, transformative leadership.
We call on States—and people everywhere—to support this campaign. The outcome will define how the UN responds to the most urgent challenges of our time: from climate justice and conflict prevention to the defense of human rights and inclusive development.”
The 1 for 8 Billion Steering Committee is responsible for the campaign's strategic direction, the implementation of its policy platform, and its associated outreach and advocacy efforts. It works to ensure that the campaign is inclusive, transparent, regionally-balanced and aligned with the values outlined in its principles statement.