This article was sent recently by PassBlue, an independent, women‑led nonprofit news outlet based in New York that provides fearless, in‑depth reporting on the United Nations, global diplomacy, human rights, and peacekeeping.
The article, Why the Next UN Refugee Chief Should Be a Woman, makes a compelling call for change.
The article offers real depth and is worth the read. See how it speaks to you…
🥗
The next UN high commissioner for refugees should be a woman, the essayists write, because leadership in multilateral institutions “should mirror the societies they serve,” yet women remain shockingly underrepresented in such bodies. Sudanese refugees, above, escaping the war there. NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL
The election of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a pivotal moment for global leadership. The agency protects more than 32 million displaced people worldwide. Conflict, climate change and protracted crises make its mission more urgent than ever. The next high commissioner will shape the organization’s strategy and send a clear message about the values of international humanitarian leadership.
Indeed, leadership in multilateral institutions should mirror the societies they serve, yet women remain dramatically underrepresented. Of 54 major multilateral organizations tracked by the Women in Multilateralism Report, 19 have never been led by a woman. The UN Refugee Agency, or UNHCR, is among the 17 organizations that have elected a woman only once. The vote by the General Assembly — which should happen by the end of the year, endorsing UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s choice — is a chance to correct decades of imbalance and demonstrate that gender equality matters at the highest levels of global governance.
Research consistently shows that diverse leadership drives better results. Teams led by women make more inclusive decisions, foster innovation and achieve stronger results. A female high commissioner could enhance the agency’s effectiveness while ensuring responses are equitable and gender-sensitive.
History shows the transformative potential of female leadership. Sadako Ogata, the first and only woman to serve as high commissioner, from 1991 to 2000, revolutionized the office. She expanded operations in crises ranging from Kurdistan during the Gulf War to Rwanda, the Balkans and Africa’s Great Lakes region. She doubled the agency’s budget and staff, included internally displaced persons in its mandate and elevated refugee issues on the international stage.
Ogata also introduced innovative coordination mechanisms, strengthened partnerships with governments and nongovernmental organizations and championed inclusive policies, especially for women and children. Her leadership left the agency stronger and globally recognized.
A woman leading UNHCR today could be similarly transformative. She could prioritize refugee women’s needs: safety, health, education, protection from gender-based violence and economic empowerment. Women would have a more active voice in decision-making, ensuring humanitarian responses are included and equitable. A woman at the helm would also send a global signal: that equality matters. Refugee women are disproportionately affected by displacement, facing heightened risks of violence, exploitation and exclusion.
Leadership that understands these realities ensures programs work for the most vulnerable people. Gender-diverse leadership improves policy design, strengthens advocacy, maximizes resources and builds credibility to enable the agency to forge partnerships across governments, civil society and the private sector.
The UN Refugee Agency faces unprecedented pressures. Rising numbers of refugees and internally displaced people strain its operations. Chronic underfunding limits responses, while protracted conflicts, climate-driven displacement and integration challenges demand new solutions. Meeting these challenges requires bold, strategic leadership that can forge partnerships and mobilize global solidarity.
The commissioner’s challenges are also strategic. Political pressures, resource constraints and global attention spans demand a leader with vision and courage. Choosing a woman sends a clear message: multilateral leadership values equality, recognizes women’s expertise and addresses the needs of all displaced people.
Electing a woman is also a test of the international community’s commitment to gender parity in global governance. Half the world is female. Women lead communities, run humanitarian programs and drive solutions in crises, yet they remain scarce in top positions. Choosing a woman high commissioner aligns the agency with the diversity, values and aspirations of the populations it serves.
This election will shape the lives of millions of people. It will determine whether UNHCR adapts to a rapidly changing world with empathy, efficiency and inclusion. It will define how the international system values gender equality in practice — not just in rhetoric. The next high commissioner must have her feet on the ground, responding to the voices of all communities of refugees.
History shows that women deliver results and inspire change. Today, the stakes are higher than ever. Electing a woman is not just the right decision: it is the necessary one.
🥗
REFLECTIONS 