World Leaders Push for First Woman UN Chief

Pressure is growing for the United Nations to choose its first female secretary-general, a move advocates say would align the organization’s leadership with its commitment to gender equality as progress worldwide remains slow. Four women are among seven candidates, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leading the latest informal Security Council poll and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett placing second; the customary regional rotation also favors Latin America and the Caribbean. Leaders from several regions have called for a woman to take the post, while emphasizing that the selection should be fair and that the next chief must be equipped to address conflict, geopolitical divisions and demands for UN reform. A candidate still needs at least nine Security Council votes and no veto from a permanent member to secure the council’s recommendation.