United Nations executive elevates women through sustainable development efforts

The United Nations hopes to promote equality for women while improving development around the world, an organization executive said at a Feb. 23 National Press Club Newsmaker event.

Under-secretary General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said that the UN's new Sustainable Development Goals include specific targets to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment by 2030.

“We now have a new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which we believe will help us to achieve a more sustainable, inclusive, peaceful and equal world,” she said. "We are a young organization with a giant mandate, to act as the global champion for women and girls. A tremendous opportunity exists for the advancement of women and girls if the Sustainable Development Goals are implemented.”

Access audio of the event.

Mlambo-Ngcuka has been breaking down barriers for women and girls her entire life.

In South Africa, she served as deputy president from 2005 to 2008 after an activist political career fighting apartheid alongside Nelson Mandela and others.

At the UN, she is helping women around the world achieve equality and bringing men into the equation.

"All countries still need to work toward achieve equality for women, some more than others," she said. "No country has full pay equity or equal numbers of women in parliament or in the ranks of business.”

The global women's movement, civil society, business sectors and governments, men and women alike, should work together on implementing Agenda 2030 “for the good of our planet, especially since we only have one world, without a replacement," Mlambo-Ngcuka said.

Gender equality is key to achieving all 17 UN goals.

“For example, a majority of people living in poverty are women," she said.
"Alleviating poverty would have ripple effects on women's lives in areas such as economic empowerment, peace and security and climate change."

Mlambo-Ngcuka also touted the organization’s HeForShe campaign that is recruiting men from government, academia and the private sector to be champions for women.

"I wish that we thought about recruiting men sooner," she said. "It is exciting to see men fighting for women's rights and empowerment. Our male champions do a good job convincing other men it is in their best interest for women to be partners and their equals."

Mlambo-Ngcuka spoke in advance of the March 8 International Women's Day. This year's theme is Pledge for Parity.

A member of the audience asked her about the prospects of a woman being appointed UN secretary general.

"Wow!” she said. “That could make a big difference for women. There has never been a woman head of the UN in its history, and that would be an important step."