A glimmer of hope at the UN Commission on the Status of Women
by Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos
I have just returned home from the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City ―an annual gathering at the United Nations dedicated to advancing women's rights globally. Over the years, I've attended several of these sessions, and a familiar pattern has emerged: rooms filled predominantly with women, discussing women's issues. While the energy is inspiring, it often feels like a global support group where we repeatedly revisit the same obstacles and setbacks.
This year held particular significance. It marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, known as Beijing+30. In 1995, Beijing witnessed a landmark moment for women's rights, where governments, non-governmental organizations, and activists united to create a comprehensive blueprint for gender equality. However, three decades later, progress feels painfully slow and is often met with fierce resistance.
My participation this year was centered around an event organized by the 1 for 8 Billion campaign, for which I serve as a steering committee member. Our mission is clear: to advocate for the election of a feminist woman as the next United Nations Secretary-General in 2026 and to make the selection process more transparent and fair.
This goal still feels audacious. In the 21st century, the prospect of a woman leading the world's foremost international organization remains groundbreaking ―a reality that speaks volumes about the entrenched gender bias we continue to face, even within the UN itself. To suggest that among the 8 billion people on this planet, there isn’t a single “competent” woman fit to hold the position often referred to as the “secular pope” is outrageous. It also disregards an uncomfortable truth: many of the men who have held this job throughout the UN’s 80-year history weren’t necessarily brilliant, but rather the candidate all member states could agree on.
Our campaign has been tirelessly working to garner support. It has produced research, drafted letters, published a list of rumored candidates, and organized events to raise awareness. We've seen a growing number of member states voicing their support for female candidates, as evidenced by a recent interactive map published by New York University and the 1 for 8 Billion campaign. Yet, the reality remains that the ultimate decision still lies with the 15 members of the UN Security Council, where geopolitical interests often overshadow the principles of gender equality. As long as this power dynamic persists, the odds remain stacked against a female candidate. It’s time for the UN General Assembly to step up and demand more voice ―and a real choice― in this matter.
Despite the challenges, our event at CSW offered a beacon of hope. We were fortunate to have stellar speakers from Global Women Leaders Voices, GQual and Plataforma CIPÓ, who brought a wealth of experience in the UN and multilateral spaces, as well as a deep commitment to advancing women's leadership. The room was filled to capacity, buzzing with energy. The audience, predominantly women but also including male allies, listened intently to the panelists and actively participated in the discussion.
Yet, what struck me most was the palpable sense of hope —a rare commodity in international forums like CSW. Cynicism often prevails in UN spaces, especially now with all the geopolitical turmoil. But here you could really sense the collective yearning for change, and a strong belief that a new kind of leadership can emerge from a historic appointment. Electing a feminist woman as Secretary-General would not only shatter an important glass ceiling. It would also pave the way for a more inclusive and transparent election process from here on.
This moment feels pivotal. We stand at a crossroads where we can either perpetuate the status quo or embrace a paradigm shift. The UN, as the custodian of global peace and security, needs to reflect the diversity of the world it serves. Electing a woman as Secretary-General would send a powerful message that gender equality is not just a lofty ideal but a fundamental human right. It would signal that the UN is ready to defend that human right.
The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging. We will face resistance from those who cling to outdated notions of power and leadership, and who see gender equality as a zero-sum game. But we must remain steadfast. The voices of women around the world are growing louder. They are demanding not just a seat at the table where decisions are made, but to be the decision leaders.
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Author: Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos, Steering Committee Member of the 1 for 8 Billion Campaign.
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