The United Nations has developed a strong focus on gender balance and gender sensitivity throughout all of its work. Yet the UN itself has significant problems in relation to gender within its Secretariat, Funds, Programmes and Agencies. Despite the UN Charter arguably setting out legal obligations to ensure gender parity within the UN and initiatives aimed at addressing the lack of gender parity, there have been few concrete changes to the lack of gender parity at senior levels. That impacts on the UN’s work, and on its legitimacy and credibility.

This panel discussion will focus on why the UN remains deeply unequal in relation to gender, and suggest methods for addressing this issue. The event is part of the AHRC-funded UN Gender Network, which brings together academics, civil society, member states and UN staff to achieve a deep understanding of the causes and impact of gender inequality within the UN and the impact this has on its global leadership and work

Jane Connors is the inaugural Victims’ Rights Advocate for the United Nations and Assistant Secretary-General and Visiting Professor in Practice at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security. Prior to that she was the International Advocacy Director (Law and Policy) of Amnesty International, based in Geneva.

Aoife O’Donoghue is a professor at Durham Law School.

Rosalyn Park is Director, Women's Human Rights Program, The Advocates for Human Rights.

Navanethem Pillay served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.

Christine Chinkin is Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security.

The Centre for Women, Peace and Security (@LSE_WPS) is a leading academic space for scholars, practitioners, activists, policy-makers and students to develop strategies to promote justice, human rights and participation for women in conflict-affected situations around the world.      

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEUNGender

Podcast

A podcast of this event is available to download from Gender Equality: how can the UN lead?

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.