The Future We Want, The UN We Need

June 29, 2020, was the last day to submit an essay for the UN Essay Competition "The Future We Want, The UN We Need" answering the question, "Within the context of the “new normal” that has unfolded post-COVID-19, and as we plan and re-build to recovery, what does the future of the UN look like to you? " I wrote an essay too, and although I did not win (and I'm not 15 yet) I wanted to share it here, on my blog.

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As UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres said in his speech “Gender equality and women’s rights are essential to getting through this pandemic together, to recovering faster, and to building a better future for everyone.”

The UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 strives to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, by 2030. If the United Nations is truly committed to Gender Equality than it should lead by example and should support women in positions of power. In the history of the UN we have had 9 Secretary-Generals (SG), all male, and now is the time to choose a female SG to lead the UN in “The Future We Want”. The future of a post-Covid-19 UN demands more gender equality. The UN should set an example for other countries in terms of female leadership and in re-building a world where women’s rights are not forgotten.

The Covid-19 pandemic has only deepened inequalities and risks reversing the progress we have achieved in regards of women’s rights and opportunities. We cannot let that happen. The UN should be a part of this movement, making sure countries protect women from falling into poverty or being abused. According to Mr. António Guterres, “Nearly 60 per cent of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at greater risk of falling into poverty.” Women and girls have suffered more during the lockdown, in terms of social and economic consequences. The pandemic has also led to an increase in violence against women, with one in five women being abused in the past year. These women are now stuck at home with their abusers and are struggling to get help or access services that are now closed and restricted.

Furthermore, data proves that countries led by women are doing better in the pandemic. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, was hailed as one of the most effective leaders during the pandemic. Finland, where Prime Minister Sanna Marin governs with four female-led parties, has had fewer then 10% as many deaths as Sweden. Tsai Ing-wen, president of Taiwan, has one of the most successful efforts in the world to contain the virus, with the country following strict testing, contact tracing and isolating measures to control infections without a full-nation lockdown.

Diversity in decision-making teams are more impactful, as it brings different perspectives and backgrounds to the table and is not limited to one voice or one story. In Germany, Angela Merkel’s government looked at a variety of different sources to develop their coronavirus policy. Using data of medical experts and evidence from South Korea’s successful program of testing and isolation, Germany’s death rates are considerably lower compared to other Western European nations. In contrast, male-led Britain and Sweden (which both have high coronavirus death tolls) looked only at evidence and ideas from their own advisers and relied very little upon information from outside experts.

Women are not only showing amazing leadership skills at the highest level, but they are also leading the young activists’ movements across the world, fighting for a cause they believe in. Greta Thunberg started a global movement of young people protesting and spreading awareness on climate change. Malala Yousafzai won a Nobel Peace Prize for her bravery and struggles for the right of all children to have an education, especially girls. Emma Gonzalez started the Never Again movement, a gun-control advocacy group after she survived the Parkland shooting. Yara Shahidi, an 18-year-old actress, uses her platform to advocate for important issues like diversity in Hollywood, girls’ education and more. I had the chance to meet Leah Namugerwa, a 15-year-old activist who leads the Friday for Future movement in Uganda. There are so many young activists today, not afraid to use their voices no matter what they are faced with. And most of them are girls, empowered and leading movements and campaigns across the globe.

In conclusion, the future of a post-Covid-19 UN depends on the will of all nations to effectively empower women and encourage female leadership at all levels. This should start by electing the very first female Secretary-General. I want to see a world that is fairer and more equal, in which there are more female leaders and the right support and services for women all around the world who are struggling through the pandemic. We cannot lose the progress we have made in women’s rights and opportunities. The United Nations must lead by example if we are to achieve gender equality by 2030. As Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka, the Executive Director of UN Women said, “We now know that without gender equality and a full role for women in society, in the economy, in governance, we will not be able to achieve the world we hoped for.”

By Gemma Tabet

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Find out more about what young people are doing to change the world: https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/