Antonio Guterres.
Wednesday, 9 September 2026 |Author: Andrew Michael | Photo Credit: Reuters|
The United Nations is being urged to appoint its first woman secretary-general as member states prepare to choose a successor to Antonio Guterres.
Eight candidates are competing for the UN’s top post, with the successful candidate due to take over in 2027.
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, says the selection presents a historic opportunity for the UN to put a woman at the head of the organisation for the first time since it was founded in 1945.
The call comes as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly amid mounting international crises, including armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, climate change and persistent human rights violations.
“It’s high time we elect a feminist woman Secretary-General at the UN,” said Jesselina Rana, a UN adviser at CIVICUS.
“Since its beginning, the top global body has failed to represent half of the world’s population.”
CIVICUS is part of the 1 for 8 Billion campaign, which is calling for a selection process that is transparent, accountable and inclusive.
The organisation says the next secretary-general must be prepared to confront growing geopolitical tensions, defend human rights and revive efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, which remain significantly off track.
Concerns over shrinking civic space
The campaign is also highlighting what it describes as a shrinking space for civil society both globally and within the UN system.
According to CIVICUS Monitor data, fewer than 40 countries currently provide an enabling environment for civic freedoms.
The organisation says restrictions on civil society undermine public accountability and make it more difficult for communities to influence decisions affecting their lives.
It says similar concerns are emerging within the UN, where civil society organisations have faced barriers to participating in high-level meetings and other UN processes.
CIVICUS points to the suspension of badges for NGOs accredited through the Economic and Social Council, the absence of a permanent platform for civil society engagement and reports of intimidation and reprisals against people involved in UN processes.
“At a time when the United Nations needs to rebuild trust, strengthen accountability and respond to an increasingly complex global landscape, excluding the voices of civil society risks further weakening the institution’s legitimacy and effectiveness,” Ms Rana said.
A test for the UN
The selection of the next secretary-general is likely to be closely watched as the UN faces questions over its ability to respond effectively to conflicts and global crises.
The organisation’s top job has been held exclusively by men since the UN was established 81 years ago.
CIVICUS says the next leader should champion feminist principles and build a UN that is more open, inclusive and accountable.
The 1 for 8 Billion campaign has called on member states to use the selection process to make the UN’s leadership more representative of the world’s population.
For the UN, the choice of its next secretary-general will be more than a change of leadership. It will also test whether member states are willing to translate their repeated commitments to gender equality and inclusive multilateralism into action at the highest level.
