Gender inequality is essentially a question of power. Our male-dominated world and male-dominated culture damage both men and women. And to transform power relations, we need equality between men and women in leadership, decision-making, and participation at all levels.

It's vital for the United Nations to represent the values it stands for — the values enshrined in the Charter — and to lead by example.

Gender parity in our personnel is the only way to achieve gender equality in our work.

In the past five years, we have achieved a series of notable "firsts."

We reached gender parity among our senior leadership for the first time in the UN's history in 2020 — two years ahead of our target date. We are talking about almost 200 senior leaders in the Organization.

We have also reached parity among heads and deputy heads of peace operations. Five years ago, the proportion of women in those roles was just 25 percent.

We reached parity among our 130 Resident Coordinators in 2018.

And we have also increased geographical diversity among Resident Coordinators, who now come from 56 countries from all regions of the world and we are putting gender and regional diversity together, to reflect the people we serve.

The representation of women at headquarters locations has now reached parity.

And the number of UN entities with at least 50 percent women staff has risen from five to 26.

At the same time, gaps remain.

In the field, progress has been slow and, in some cases, we have gone backwards.

If we fail to address stereotypes and biases in the workplace; if we tolerate a sexist, racist or discriminatory work environment — we will fail the people we serve.

I am determined to move forward with steps to end all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment.

We are enforcing a victim-centered, zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment.

Fostering a safe, equal, and inclusive working environment across the UN system is an essential part of these efforts.

Halfway to the deadline of 2028, we have three clear areas for improvement:

First, we will focus on reflecting gender and geographical diversity as complementary goals. Just 36 percent of professional staff from the Africa region in the Secretariat are women and this must change.

Second, we will strengthen efforts to recruit women to our field missions.

Third, we will double down on our policies and tools to make the United Nations a more attractive employer for women.

We will continue to work closely with Member States and civil society, particularly from the Global South, to ensure that we reflect all countries and communities, at all levels of our Organization.

I am proud to be a champion of gender equality around the world, and at the United Nations.

Gender parity is essential to meet the expectations of the people we serve, and to build a more sustainable, just, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world for all.

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Excerpts from remarks delivered on the fifth anniversary of the Gender Parity Strategy, 12 December 2022.