TOWARD FEMINIST LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS - PROGRESS IN A PANDEMIC: A Report Card on the Secretary-General's Fourth Year from the Feminist ...
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PROGRESS IN A PANDEMIC: TOWARD FEMINIST LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year from the Feminist U.N. Campaign
A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 3
INTRODUCTION
OVERALL REPORT CARD GRADES FROM 2017-2020 For gender equality and for the United began as the Commission on the Status
Nations, 2020 was supposed to be a year of Women (CSW) was set to convene, it
A+ of celebration and reflection. The United became clear: for the United Nations and
Nations would celebrate its 75th year. UN its leadership, 2020 was hardly the year
A Women would commemorate its 10th year. for global celebrations of progress and
Women’s rights activists would mark the commitments to increased ambition. The
A- 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration milestones we had looked forward to
and Platform for Action. U.N. Security were delayed, canceled or considerably
B+ Council Resolution 1325 on Women, scaled down.
Peace and Security would look back on 20
years. And with 10 more years to realize This involved a resetting of expectations
B
B the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for for gender equality advocates who had
Sustainable Development, 2020 presented campaigned with increasing fervor over
B-
B- B- an opportunity to call for increased action recent years and had aligned around the
and more urgent implementation where key moments and anniversaries of 2020
C+
C+ progress was lagging. with tremendous anticipation, and with
a long list of demands of the Secretary-
C
But 2020 took us by surprise. The onset of General himself and the U.N. system,
a global pandemic exacerbated inequality, writ large.
C-
shattering any sense of normalcy and
placing life’s most ordinary pleasures out Four years ago, as the United Nations
of reach. The world in 2020 was flipped prepared to pick a new leader, member
2017 2018 2019 2020 upside-down, nearly unrecognizable— states and women’s rights advocates alike
and the effects on women and girls were were clamoring for female and feminist
particularly harmful. leadership at the United Nations. It was
in this context that the International
As UN Women reports, “The impacts Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
of crises are never gender neutral, and convened a group of feminist thinkers,
COVID-19 is no exception. While men
Written by Spogmay Ahmed and Lyric Thompson of the International Center for reportedly have a higher fatality rate,
Research on Women on behalf of the Feminist U.N. Campaign. women and girls are especially hurt
by the resulting economic and social
Special thanks go to Daphne Ho, Gisselle Flores, Joe Shaffner, Lindsay Bigda and Tanya fallout. Impacts on women and girls
Khokhar for their invaluable contributions, report reviewers Dragica Mikavica, Sahar have worsened across the board.”1 The
Moazami and Sarah Gammage, as well as all those who took part in key informant COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated violence
interviews and the global civil society survey. against women; a loss of earnings,
livelihoods and educational opportunity;
Recommended citation: the burdens of unpaid care and domestic
Ahmed, S. and Thompson, L. (2021). Progress in a Pandemic: Toward Feminist Leadership work; and lack of access to sexual and
in a Time of Crisis. Washington D.C., International Center for Research on Women. reproductive health services.2
Pixabay
© 2021 International Center for Research on Women As the crisis unfolded and lockdowns
4 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 5
advocates and U.N. experts to imagine a based harassment in the U.N. system. severe funding shortfalls and backlash
Cancillería Argentina/Flickr
Pixabay
transformative and progressive agenda But he lagged behind in fostering on initial efforts.”8
for women’s human rights and gender greater freedom of information,
equality in the U.N. system, anticipating ensuring feminist implementation of the And what of 2020? How to assess progress
it might have its first female Secretary- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a most extraordinary year? Is it fair to
General (SG). and transforming key gender equality evaluate against the same criteria when,
institutions and convenings—like UN for instance, one of our scored criteria is
The General Assembly ultimately Women and the Commission on the Status strong leadership at the Commission on
appointed António Guterres, who, while of Women (CSW)—into stronger, more the Status of Women (CSW), which was
not a woman, proclaimed himself “a proud inclusive bodies and resources within the largely suspended?9
feminist.” This and other statements by the wider U.N. system.6
SG indicated that he had potential to be a In truth, we considered punting to 2021
champion for feminist reforms throughout Following his second year, in 2018, and electing not to publish the annual
the system, and so the Feminist U.N. Guterres again scored highly in promoting scorecard. But, ultimately, we decided that
Campaign was born. gender parity and prioritizing the in a year that threatens to reverse decades
elimination of violence, discrimination of progress on gender equality, this is no
In 2016, the Campaign released its and abuse in the U.N. system, particularly time to let leaders off the hook on these
flagship report, Toward a More Feminist in the wake of the #MeToo and issues. Rather, we must press our case brief on gender, the first in a series of
United Nations, delineating an agenda #AidToo movements. The Campaign ever more urgently. thematic briefs on the crisis. Perhaps most
for then incoming Secretary-General noted improvements in the Secretary-
importantly, he also integrated a gender
Guterres.3 The Campaign adapted these General’s efforts to advance feminist So we shall. marker in the U.N.’s COVID-19 Response
recommendations into an initial 100- implementation of the SDGs and promote
and Recovery Fund, making program
day framework, as well as actions the greater freedom of information. However, For 2020, the Feminist U.N. Campaign funding in its second call for proposals
Secretary-General could implement over progress still lagged. Most notably, gender once again measures to what extent the contingent upon support for gender
the course of his five-year term. These equality initiatives and actors remained Secretary-General advanced progress equality and women’s empowerment.
include six key points: (1) articulate and vastly underfunded.7
on our proposals for a more gender-
implement a feminist leadership agenda,
(2) ensure feminist implementation In 2019, the Campaign noted “a year
equitable world and U.N. system, even Indeed, despite a year in which progress could
and especially in the midst of a most
and accountability for the Sustainable of incremental progress” with “no
turbulent year. We revisit our six priority have easily stalled or been reversed, Guterres’s
Development Goals (SDGs), (3) finance measurable increase or decrease”
for gender equality, (4) utilize feminist compared to the previous year. While
recommendations, assessing progress and scores actually increased overall and in three
leadership through parity and rights his public messaging on gender equality
setbacks in each area.
of the six areas on our agenda, resulting in a B
protections, (5) enable a feminist substantially increased in frequency, overall—his highest grade in the past four years,
transformation for the Commission on the Secretary-General turned much of Overall, we find that Secretary-
although still offering room for improvement.
the Status of Women (CSW) and UN his attention to internal processes and General Guterres responded
Women, and (6) promote the freedom outcomes. Those included continued
of information in the U.N. system.4 Each focus on gender parity, the High-Level to the exigence at hand, both Specifically: the SG’s scores increased
year following, the Campaign has issued Task Force on Financing for Gender recognizing and prioritizing over last year in the areas of feminist
a report card grading the Secretary- Equality and preparations for 2020 as a leadership and agenda-setting, reflecting
General’s progress against this agenda. key anniversary year for both the U.N.
the gendered effects of the his leadership for gender equality in both
system and women’s rights globally. COVID-19 pandemic. diplomatic and funding responses to the
Following a strong rhetorical performance However, as we reported in 2019, “the pandemic; feminist implementation for
in his first 100 days,5 the SG has struggled choice to focus on internal processes He regularly cautioned against increased the SDGs, where he did a better job of
to secure the kind of transformation to ‘get our own house in order’ resulted levels of violence against women—calling clearly linking the SDGs to the women’s
imagined in the 2016 agenda. Following in an understandable perception by for peace worldwide and “at home”— human rights agenda and called out
Guterres’s first year in office, he scored observers inside and outside of the U.N. incorporated a gendered analysis in his Goal 5 and targets such as sexual and
highly in his efforts to achieve gender of decreased momentum on the overall policy recommendations to member reproductive health and rights in the of
parity and respond to violence and sex- agenda, particularly in the context of states and issued a standalone policy the Decade of Action; and freedom of
6 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 7
information, again due to increased with U.N. officials and comments from has at last come to a close—we found, Guterres’s first term and the rescheduled
transparency around the COVID-19 his Executive Office continue to insist across the board, missed opportunities celebration of the Generation Equality
Response and Recovery Fund and that this is an internal-facing Task Force to enable greater civil society access Forum,10 all eyes are on the Secretary-
increasing telecast and virtual meetings with no mandate to increase financing and foster greater transparency, two General to make this the banner year for
in the wake of the pandemic. for gender equality, and no clear plans to critical components of our Feminist U.N. gender equality and women’s rights—as
disseminate any information with regard agenda. As lobbies closed so too did well as intersecting human rights issues
Scores remained the same in one area, to the Task Force—from membership valuable opportunities for information that came to the fore in 2020, like racism—
on parity and rights protections, where to recommendations—to the public, exchange and influencing on the that 2020 was supposed to be.
he is ahead of schedule, and went down an unfortunate development and one margins of negotiations and debates,
in two: financing for gender equality that has undermined pandemic-related with no digital mechanism designed We urge Secretary-General Guterres to make his
and enabling a feminist transformation progress where financing is concerned. to accommodate this. For every event
commitment to gender equality a centerpiece of his
for CSW and UN Women. Two important Finally, on the CSW, we elected not to or forum we tracked, advocates and
notes here: On financing, the SG’s strong score the SG this year given that the CSW academics alike expressed frustration that campaign for reelection, using his fifth year in office
leadership on the COVID-19 Response was largely canceled, scheduled as it meetings were still scheduled in Eastern to cement progress to date, embrace outstanding areas
and Recovery Fund would have taken was to convene in March, just as global Standard Time, designed to accommodate
his score up rather than down had the lockdowns were beginning. New York participation, even though
of our agenda and set a strong expectation either for
Campaign not uncovered, in the course participants no longer were physically himself or for his successors to achieve or exceed.
of this year’s research, a Concept Note Zooming out a bit from the Secretary- required in New York. In a year that could
outlining a significantly increased level General himself to consider overall have transformed colonial and Western- In his first year in office, Guterres
of ambition and transparency that was trendlines in the larger system, there is centric approaches underpinning U.N. proclaimed, “Do not let us in the UN off
initially planned for one of his signature one important lesson from 2020 that processes and events, civic space seemed the hook.”11 The Feminist U.N. Campaign
efforts in this area, the High-Level Task merits deeper examination, not only by more constricted than ever. Particularly took that request to heart. While we
Force on Financing for Gender Equality the SG and his leadership team, but also following the global protests that erupted commend the Secretary-General’s efforts,
(HLTF). This document revealed that, at by the various agencies, officials and against racism and white supremacy, the we recognize that a feminist U.N. system
least initially, the SG’s plans for the Task member states operating throughout the U.N. as an institution and the SG as its is still far from reality. As such, we repeat
Force included a number of Campaign system: as the pandemic necessitated a leader must confront these intersecting the Secretary-General’s words back to
asks: increased resourcing for gender move to virtual modalities for a number of issues head-on. him: “Keep pushing. Keep inspiring. Keep
equality, civil society input and public U.N. meetings, events and processes—a making a difference.”12
dissemination of report findings and move that is likely to endure to some Looking ahead to 2021, which marks the
recommendations. However, interviews degree even after the pandemic chapter fifth and final year of Secretary-General The fight is far from over.
It is important to note that this assessment is listening to civil society’s calls for feminist the Secretary-General is not solely responsible as an institution born out of international
evaluates the Secretary-General’s progress leadership and is willing to take good ideas on for effecting the recommended changes, and crisis, in direct response to authoritarianism,
against the Campaign’s recommended agenda, board. We insist that our six action areas are there are a number of factors beyond his and chartered specifically “to reaffirm faith in
not his own. The goal and intention of this effort equally worthy of his attention and will continue control—not the least of which are political fundamental human rights, in the dignity and
is to seed ideas for the SG’s action that would to push for their consideration and uptake. For undercurrents surrounding this era of decreasing worth of the human person, in the equal rights
lead to necessary transformation within the even if Secretary-General Guterres does not act resource flows, intensifying ethno-nationalist and of men and women and of nations large and
U.N. system, giving credit where he has taken on all of our recommendations, some future misogynist sentiments undergirding the rise of small,” we believe the United Nations is up to the
up civil society’s ideas and calling attention Secretary-General might, and in the spirit of authoritarian governments, and ongoing reforms task and hence present our progress assessment
where he has not. As we saw in those first, forward momentum and future progress we will that reflect and manifest these trends. Our order as an appropriate and essential call to action to
historic days, this is a Secretary-General who continue to present them. We also recognize that is, therefore, an admittedly tall one. Nonetheless, realize these founding ideals.
8 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 9
HOW TO BUILD
A MORE FEMINIST
UNITED NATIONS
The election of a new Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2016 provided an THREE
important opportunity to ensure that the United Nations implements an agenda that puts
gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights at the heart of everything it does.
FINANCE FOR GENDER EQUALITY
Ensure there are sufficient funds committed to gender equality across the U.N.,
The Feminist U.N. Campaign created its initial report card in early 2017, in response to
including full funding for UN Women as well as for gender integration throughout
Secretary-General Guterres declaring himself a “feminist” as he took the helm at the
the U.N. system. Convene an annual High-Level Panel on Financing Gender Equality
United Nations. Since then, it has measured the extent to which the Secretary-General
to analyze and present the state of financing for women’s rights and gender
advanced progress toward a more gender-equitable world and U.N. system across
equality within the U.N. system. Publish funding sources to enhance transparency
six recommendations:
across all agencies.
ONE FOUR
ARTICULATE AND IMPLEMENT A UTILIZE FEMINIST LEADERSHIP
FEMINIST LEADERSHIP AGENDA
Increase the numbers of women and feminists in U.N. leadership, and protect women’s
Secretary-General Guterres should set out and implement a full-fledged women’s rights rights across the system. Secretary-General Guterres should achieve gender parity in his
agenda for the duration of his term, including a commitment to report on progress and appointments, call for nominations for strong female candidates to head critical agencies
work with feminist civil society to hone and implement it. and establish and implement feminist policies across the system, including whistle-blower
policies and a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of gender-based violence.
TWO FIVE
ENSURE FEMINIST IMPLEMENTATION ENABLE A FEMINIST TRANSFORMATION
ANDACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE FOR CSW AND U.N. WOMEN
DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs)
Commit to ensure that the CSW and U.N. Women live up to their potential by
The SDGs represent the single best opportunity to achieve gender equality and include serving as inclusive platforms for civil society participation, with a specific focus
a focus on gender and advance women’s rights across the U.N.’s efforts. Ensure the on the inclusion of southern, feminist voices.
goals have a strong accountability framework and continue to focus on gender including
and beyond Goal 5, and align with other commitments such as the Beijing Platform
for Action and have a clear mandate for oversight at the Commission on the Status of
Women (CSW). SIX
PROMOTE THE FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION IN THE U.N. SYSTEM
Announce system-wide reforms to increase transparency within the U.N. and to
build public trust in the U.N. system. Institute universal System-Wide Action
Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (SWAPs) for all U.N.
agencies and bodies, including the fifth committee, and make that data publicly
available on a central platform.
10 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 11
REPORT CARD General for maintaining a rhetorical
focus on gender equality with speeches
devoted entirely to the issue, and for
called out “default man” thinking, which
accepts men’s circumstances, preferences
and lifestyles as standard and normal—
increasing references to gender in other compared to women as the exception. In
remarks—an uptake of the Feminist U.N. the same speech, Guterres asserted that
Campaign’s recommendations. sexual and reproductive rights are “under
threat from different sides”—responding
In addition to the laudable increase in the to our Campaign’s recommendation to
ONE number of speeches connecting gender more frequently and publicly address
2020 GRADE: A- ARTICULATE AND But 2020 shattered expectations. A equality to other topics and outside of gender issues deemed “controversial.”
2019: B+ global pandemic ground progress to gender-related events or anniversaries, He also spoke about the role of gender
2018: B+ IMPLEMENT A FEMINIST a halt, canceled events and rendered the content of the SG’s speeches with stereotypes in promoting risky behaviors
2017: B LEADERSHIP AGENDA anniversaries moot, not to mention the regard to gender equality also improved, among men and boys—driving the point
havoc it wreaked on the global populace, becoming more substantive and that gender inequality is to the detriment
Our Ask: The Feminist U.N. Campaign most especially women and girls. containing more systemic and power- of all, and not just women.13
defines a feminist leadership agenda as: based analyses of structural constraints
i) a full-fledged women’s rights agenda based As we assess the Secretary-General’s to equality. In the 14 speeches focused entirely on
on U.N. policies of human rights, equality, leadership in this unprecedented and gender issues, Guterres frequently spoke
fairness and nondiscrimination, which unpredicted context, we find the pandemic This was most notable in the Secretary- about women’s leadership, gender parity,
ii) outlines which members of the Secretary- featured heavily in shaping his agenda— General’s speech on “Women and Power” violence against women, and conflict,
General’s administration are responsible and that ultimately, his focus on gender delivered at The New School, a university peace and security—issues he has focused
for implementing its key provisions, and equality remained or perhaps even in New York City, in February. This high- on in previous years as well. While the
iii) reports progress to the public on an increased in light of the pandemic. visibility speech set a strong tone and clear SG frequently mentioned the Beijing
annual basis with consultation from priority for the year’s focus on gender. Declaration and Platform for Action and
feminist civil society and U.N. staff to hone Each year, we examine the Secretary- In his remarks, Guterres proclaimed: the Generation Equality Forum in this
and implement. General’s messaging around gender “Gender equality is a question of power; set of 14 speeches, there were very few
equality and various related issues power that has been jealously guarded references to this commemoration in his
Progress to date: through a coding and analysis of his public by men for millennia.” For a global public 93 other speeches. Speeches focused
speeches. In the time period analyzed and political leader, blatant language entirely on gender are delivered to an
The Agenda for this report (December 15, 2019 to about power and patriarchy is uncommon. audience rather familiar with gender
Our 2019 analysis found that, for December 11, 2020), Secretary-General We commend the Secretary-General’s equality issues and events; therefore, we
those both inside and outside of the Guterres delivered a total of 169 public efforts to raise awareness around the encourage the Secretary-General to raise
U.N. system, there was a sense of lost speeches. Of this number, 14 were entirely roots of gender inequality, as indeed awareness about the Beijing Declaration
momentum as the Secretary-General on gender issues (equal to last year)— power was mentioned not just in this anniversary and Generation Equality
turned inward from his proactive agenda mainly delivered at commemorative speech, but in several remarks delivered Forum in his other engagements. In the
to focus on other matters, such as funding events or occasions and key women’s throughout the year. In the same “Women same set of speeches, Guterres made
shortfalls and corresponding budget cuts. rights meetings or conferences. The and Power” speech, Guterres identified sure to point out the pernicious impacts
“Progress stalled,” the title of our report, number of speeches on other topics that five key areas relevant to gender equality: of the COVID-19 pandemic on women.
was a prevailing theme. If there was some nonetheless included a focus on gender conflict and violence, the climate crisis, While he often highlighted increasing
upside, there was a sense that 2020 would grew, however (93 as compared to 85 inclusive economies, the digital divide and levels of gender-based violence during the
be different, marking a major push on last year). A large number of these were political representation. He challenged pandemic, he also referenced women’s
gender equality initiatives, implementation pandemic-related as the SG consistently accepted ways of thinking around gender leadership during crisis, invisible and
and awareness-raising, particularly with focused on the gendered impacts of equality issues; for instance, when unpaid care work, and women frontline
the 10th anniversary of UN Women, the COVID-19 (an emphasis on violence referencing the trillions of dollars poured and essential workers.
20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 and the against women, which he termed “the into peace and security, he asked, “Whose
25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration shadow pandemic,” was particularly peace? Whose security?” and questioned Guterres improved in integrating
and Platform for Action and associated prominent). 61 speeches did not reference the inequality that is foundational to gender into non-gender speeches and
Generation Equality Forum events. gender at all. We commend the Secretary- structures and institutions. Guterres also settings, a key recommendation from
12 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 13
last year. He also became much more Secretary-General should increase and While the Secretary-General rightfully This year, we again analyzed the Secretary-
NEARLY 15% conversant in feminist analysis, elaborate on such references. Patriarchy responded to staff concerns, he and the General’s social media engagement
of tweets from the recognizing power at the root of gender and colonialism are deeply related; entire U.N. system must be more proactive through his posts on Twitter. Of his 902
SG this year were inequality issues. In the 93 speeches their influence permeates not just in standing up against racism. Racism is tweets in the period of analysis, 133 tweets
about issues related not explicitly about gender issues, there global inequalities and international a rights issue, and a feminist issue; in the were gender-related—nearly 15 percent.
to gender. were 143 non-substantive references relations, but also the organization and face of blatant rights violations, the U.N.’s This reflects a significant increase from
to gender or gender-related topics, and success of the U.N. system itself. In his actions must match its rhetoric. last year, when he tweeted about gender
38 substantive references.14 Last year’s remarks about racism in the workplace, only 56 times out of 540 tweets (nearly 11
85 speeches not explicitly about gender delivered in November, Guterres lacked The Secretary-General also made minimal percent). A large portion of these gender-
This is a
issues included 51 substantive references any substantive references to women and references to adolescent girls. In few related tweets (34 percent) focused on
4% INCREASE and 81 non-substantive references. The gender.17 It is important that he recognize, instances, he mentioned girls’ education, COVID-19, mentioning disproportionate
from last year. Secretary-General frequently pointed and act upon, the biases, barriers and child marriage, pregnancy and young effects on women (e.g. increased domestic
out the gendered effects of COVID-19 discrimination facing women of color in women’s participation in leadership and violence, job loss, pushback on women’s
in exacerbating inequalities. He often the workplace and worldwide. decision-making. However, he often rights). Guterres frequently tweeted about
spoke about women’s leadership, violence spoke about youth as a bloc—instead gender-based violence (about 22
ABOUT 22% against women and conflict, peace and Taken particularly in the context of the of recognizing the intersections of age
of the gender-related percent of his gender-related tweets),
security. However, much of his language police killing of George Floyd last year, with other identities. Guterres articulated both in the context of COVID-19 and
tweets from the SG
focus on violence. on gender issues reaffirmed gender as which prompted mass protests for racial many barriers facing adolescent girls in regarding sexual and physical violence
binary. For example, in his speech at the justice, both in the U.S. and worldwide, his speech on “A Call to Action for the in war. 18 of the Secretary-General’s
New School—otherwise perceived as a the SG’s leadership in recognizing Education of Adolescent Girls,” delivered in
gender-related tweets focused on
rather progressive speech—Guterres the intersecting issues of racism and February, but could better integrate such
achieving parity, particularly through
referred to men as “half the population,” gender equality is all the more pressing, references in other speeches.19
an increase in women’s leadership and
which was critiqued for excluding other noticeable and overdue. Initially, the U.N.
participation. Three of these tweets
genders. Similarly, at the opening of the discouraged its staff from participating in A common trend emerging from the
discussed parity in U.N. peacekeeping
General Assembly, he referenced women protests and breaking curfew. The U.N. Secretary-General’s speeches was his
forces. Additionally, 14 of his gender-
as “half of humanity,” and his references ethics board issued a circular that stated, pivot to speaking about gender parity
related tweets mentioned power
to LGBTIQ+ individuals are exceedingly “Participation in public demonstrations when discussing how the U.N. exemplifies
differentials between men and women.
rare.15 We urge the Secretary-General to in the current circumstances may not be its commitment to gender equality. For
use more gender-inclusive language, and consistent with the independence and example, in his speech to the 33rd African
Like his speeches, Guterres’s tweets still
to expand his definition of gender parity impartiality required of us as international Union Summit, Guterres identified gender
reaffirm gender as binary. Only two tweets
and equality—both within the U.N. system civil servants.” According to an article equality as one key to poverty eradication,
and worldwide. in Foreign Policy, Guterres had initially proclaiming: “At the bottom line this is
endorsed this circular; however, his office a question of power. We live in a male- 2% 3%
Key informants pointed out that Guterres disputes this coverage, claiming he did not. dominated world. That is why I have made
often falls short of recognizing the The ethics board instructions prompted gender parity a centerpiece of U.N. reform
14%
intersections of gender, race and other significant pushback from U.N. staff and and gender equality and the advancement 21% FIGURE 1
identities. His references to race and advocates, who argued that their guidance of women a top priority in all the U.N. Survey respondents’ satisfaction
racism were often separate from his defied rights to free speech and peaceful does.”20 While the Secretary-General’s with the SG’s leadership and
references to gender—and he had assembly. Guterres eventually reversed efforts to advance gender parity are response to the COVID-19
very few references to race at all. One this position, citing the U.N.’s record of important and overdue, parity does 15% pandemic in regards to gender
strong example is his Nelson Mandela challenging racism and discrimination, not shift power if underlying ideologies and women’s rights issues (n=66).
lecture on inequality and a new social and urging staff to contact U.N. leadership remain unchanged and continue to 45%
contract, delivered in July. In his remarks, if they face racial profiling themselves.18 reinforce the binary construction of
he commented that “multiple inequalities If Guterres had in fact endorsed the gender. It is equally important to ensure
intersect and reinforce each other across circular, this situation raises questions that all people in leadership roles embrace
the generations” and that colonialism about the centrality of race and racism feminist values and pledge to challenge Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral
and patriarchy are “two of the historic to the U.N.’s mandate—particularly its the patriarchal, colonialist culture
sources of inequality in our world.”16 The alleged commitment to human rights. pervading the U.N. system. Satisfied Very satisfied Don’t know
14 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 15
mention LBGTIQ+ individuals. Given the gender-based violence, and exacerbated on children highlights the damaging, support for the COVID-19 Response
potential for social media to reach broad conditions in conflict, fragility and differential effects of the pandemic on and Recovery Fund (which is further
audiences, we suggest he adopt more emergency contexts. The policy brief girls—particularly girls’ education. It points addressed in Section 3) and the U.N.’s
gender-inclusive language in his online makes three main recommendations: to out that girls’ limited access to digital framework for immediate socio-economic
engagement as well. Despite sexual ensure women’s equal representation technology affects their opportunities recovery.31,32 Women Rise for All brings
harassment being a major issue in the in all COVID-19 decision-making and for online learning, and warns of a rise together women leaders across sectors
U.N. system itself and globally, Guterres response planning; to address the paid in teenage pregnancies as girls drop out to encourage greater action to “save lives
only mentions harassment in one tweet— and unpaid care economy; and to target of school.27 Similarly, the policy brief on and protect livelihoods” and to insist that
in the context of harassment against women and girls in all socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 on older persons governments “address the human crisis
women leaders. Guterres tweeted about responses to COVID-19.23 According to brings attention to older women, who of the pandemic.”33 This includes women
the “#GlobalGoals” (SDGs) 33 times, but comments shared by the EOSG, this policy are often more vulnerable to violence, advocates, philanthropists, Heads of State
mentioned women in just four. He only brief informed the General Assembly’s abuse and neglect.28 The gendered and heads of U.N. agencies. This initiative
tweeted about the 25th anniversary of Third Committee24 resolutions on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were links COVID-19 recovery to the Decade
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for advancement of women and girls within incorporated in 18 other policy briefs and of Action to achieve the Sustainable
Action once (in March), posting: “25 years the COVID-19 pandemic,25 as well as the documents, including those focused on Development Goals (SDGs) (further
after the Beijing women’s conference, General Assembly Omnibus Resolution regional conditions, food security and addressed in Section 2), and centralizes
violence against women & girls is still on COVID-19 Response.26 Following nutrition, disability inclusion, migration women’s frontline leadership on the
not only common, but accepted as a fact significant civil society advocacy, the and refugees, mental health and economic global stage. Together with the Secretary-
of life. This must change. Achieving Omnibus Resolution also incorporates recovery.29 Additionally, the Global General’s other actions, initiatives
gender equality is the key to securing a reference to the SG’s call for a global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19, and messaging, these efforts reflect a
our future,” linking to a press release ceasefire and “peace at home and in released by the United Nations Office for commitment by the U.N. system to both
about a UNICEF, Plan International and homes around the world.” The Omnibus the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs integrate gender in COVID-19 response
UN Women report on girls’ education.21 Resolution recognizes the pandemic’s (OCHA), also integrates several references and recovery and amplify women’s
Likewise, he tweeted about joining detrimental toll on women in several to the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on
leadership in times of crisis.
the #GenerationEquality movement references, including: women and girls, specifically referencing
just once—a missed opportunity to GBV and access to sexual and reproductive
raise awareness about an important “Deeply concerned that the health services. In its gendered analysis, The Team Responsible
commemoration, particularly when the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 it also mentions that “Greater harm can Like previous years, much of the
Generation Equality Forum is upcoming. pandemic on the social and economic also be expected for lesbian, gay, bisexual, Secretary-General’s core team remains
situation of women and girls and their transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people the same—including several women in
Assessing the Secretary-General’s access to education and essential health who typically face prejudice, discrimination leadership positions. This includes Deputy
commitment to a feminist leadership services, the increased demand for paid and barriers to care, due to their sex, Secretary-General Amina Mohammed
agenda this year necessarily warrants and unpaid care work and the reported sexual orientation, and/or gender leading work on SDGs; Under-Secretary-
examination of his response to the surge of sexual and gender-based identity.”30 This demonstrates effort and General (USG) and Senior Policy Advisor
COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary- violence, including domestic violence intention by the Secretary-General’s office Ana Maria Menéndez serving as a focal
General’s office released a series of policy and violence in digital contexts, during to prioritize gender in post-COVID-19 point for civil society, co-chairing the High-
briefs on the impacts of COVID-19 on both confinement, are deepening already response and recovery, and to insist that Level Task Force on Financing for Gender
thematic areas and regional issues.22 The existing inequalities and risk reversing the member states follow suit. Going into Equality and leading on accountability
first thematic policy brief, released in progress in achieving gender equality and 2021, the Secretary-General must continue and implementation of the SG’s Gender
April, focuses entirely on women—a the empowerment of women and girls to reiterate these messages and policy Parity Strategy; and Senior Gender Advisor
clear indication that gender equality made in recent decades.” recommendations—in public speeches, Nahla Valji providing substantive gender
ranks highly on the Secretary-General’s documents and any bilateral and expertise on the Secretary-General’s
agenda, and in his efforts to influence Importantly, in addition to a strong brief multilateral meetings with global leaders overall agenda. Assistant-Secretary-
member state policymaking around on COVID-19 and gender, almost all other and Heads of State. General (ASG) for Strategic Coordination
COVID-19. It highlights adverse effects COVID-19 policy briefs and documents Volker Turk, appointed last year, works
on economic well-being, unpaid care incorporate a gender perspective (except In April, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) closely with senior leadership in the Chief
work, health—including access to sexual the one focused on debt). For example, Amina Mohammed launched “Women Executives Board (CEB) and liaises with civil
and reproductive health services—and the policy brief on impacts of COVID-19 Rise for All,” an advocacy initiative urging society leaders.
16 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 17
Key informant interviews with U.N. staff in-depth initiatives and discussions with Public Reporting and that were not limited to those who could
LGBTIQ+ communities, including staff, are Opportunities for Feminist Critique afford to travel to New York—or, as has
revealed that the Executive Office of the necessary and welcome. increasingly been an issue in recent
Secretary-General (EOSG) has prioritized and Civil Society Input years, who could obtain visas to enter
On the matter of annual progress
greater learning, discussion and collaboration Through key informant interviews
reporting, limited information continues
the United States.
and comments shared by the EOSG,
on gender equality with senior leadership. we also learned that the Deputies’ to be available to the broader public, with While the town hall is the SG’s primary
Committee (comprised of Assistant- the notable exception of the gender parity opportunity to hear from feminist civil
An example cited was that the Executive Secretary-Generals, or ASGs) held a dashboard, which is quite comprehensive, society, it only takes place once a year. Key
Committee (EC) held a discussion on day-long retreat specifically on gender and, as of this year, regular public informants expressed a desire for more
obstacles and opportunities for women’s equality, during which they discussed reporting on COVID-19 response efforts. continued, regular engagement with the
political participation with a key focus on the women, peace and security agenda; As in previous years, we only learned Secretary-General—instead of a single
violence. As a result of this discussion, the the 25th anniversary of the Beijing of many of the SG’s efforts through our event in which they may or may not be
Executive Committee developed guidance Declaration and Platform for Action; interviews with U.N. officials close to granted the opportunity to speak. Indeed,
for U.N. Country Teams on how the global trends around gender and the the Secretary-General. We continue to the move to virtual consultation in 2020
U.N. can systematically support women future of work; and gender biases in recommend that the EOSG develop would seem to facilitate more regular
candidates and women’s meaningful data and analysis. This greater attention a mechanism to make these efforts exchange, if waiting for feminists from
engagement in politics. According to the to gender equality at this level of system visible and accessible to the broader around the world to travel to New York
EOSG, this guidance is soon to be shared leadership is progress, albeit overdue; in public, and recommend annual, public is no longer a prerequisite. To encourage
with Resident Coordinators. Also per the words of one key informant, gender progress reporting as both a matter of broader participation, virtual town halls
comments from the EOSG, the EC hosted equality has become “part of the DNA” transparency and an opportunity to can be held more frequently and to
discussions on femicide, civic space and of senior leadership, with “not tokenism leverage more broadly those resources accommodate multiple time zones.
women’s civil society and other gender- or ticking the box, but a genuine, deep that are developed as part of his
specific issues. Their comments indicated discussion.” Per comments from the ongoing efforts. Comments from the EOSG provided
that gender was mainstreamed into a EOSG, the retreat culminated in senior additional information about the scope
range of thematic and country-specific officials making personal and institutional With regard to opportunities for feminist of civil society engagement with the
discussions among the EC. We urge the commitments to shifting the needle on critique and civil society input, the Secretary-General’s team. In lieu of her
EC to continue such discussions, and “default male” thinking and ensuring COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically regular country travels, DSG Amina
bring attention to often-overlooked, yet that decisions are based on gender data changed the landscape for participation Mohammed conducted a two-day virtual
pressing topics; for instance, civil society and analysis. The EOSG has followed- in any and all U.N. convenings, visit to Colombia. She met with young
insists that U.N. leadership bring greater up by initiating an in-depth analysis of simultaneously creating unprecedented women peacebuilders, women human
attention to the systematic killing and EC decisions since 2017 which a key barriers and opportunities thereto. The rights defenders and women leaders
repression of women human rights informant says resulted in an increase 64th session of CSW—scheduled for March, on the implementation of Colombia’s
defenders worldwide. Key informants in the number of gender references in as in all years—was largely suspended. 2016 peace agreement, as well as new
revealed that the EC also held, for EC decisions, particularly throughout The Commission proceeded only with challenges arising within the context of
the first time, a discussion on sexual 2020. Some of these decisions ensured an opening session and adoption of a the COVID-19 pandemic.34 Furthermore,
orientation and gender identity (SOGI). that gender data was considered as draft Political Declaration. Any interactive according to comments from the
They discussed support for and barriers part of the implementation of broader sessions and side events were canceled. EOSG, ASG Volker Turk hosts regular
facing LBGTIQ+ staff and communities decisions, while others actively engaged Since his first year in office, Secretary- consultations with civil society on a range
worldwide, examining how the U.N. can with women as agents of change. These General Guterres has hosted an annual of issues, and approximately 30 percent
advocate for LBGTIQ+ rights and inclusion. developments are best seen as part of the town hall with women’s civil society of these meetings are with gender and
It is unclear whether any outcomes came Secretary General’s stated commitment organizations during CSW. This year, women’s rights organizations.
from this unprecedented and overdue (as expressed in the New School speech) instead of canceling the town hall entirely,
discussion. While this is certainly progress, to confront “default male” thinking within he hosted it virtually some months later, Like every year, opportunities for civil
key informants from civil society pointed the organization and to explore ways in August. This reflects a continued society participation in major convenings,
out that the U.N. continues to lag behind to leverage the influence of the United commitment to hear from women civil like CSW and the High-Level Political
in supporting LGBTIQ+ communities Nations to ensure women’s representation society leaders year after year, and Forum on Sustainable Development
worldwide. As such, additional and more in political and peace processes. opened opportunities for participation (HLPF), and everyday U.N. affairs are
18 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 19
severely restricted. Such participation
became even more complicated as
persons, environmental defenders,
children, young people and members WHAT’S LEFT TO BE DONE:
meetings moved online; while online of ethnic and religious minorities and
convenings can reach a broader audience, indigenous groups among targeted civil
they do not necessarily encourage These are three areas in which we early on that gender is foundational to
society actors.36
meaningful participation unless evaluate progress in this section: the the COVID-19 pandemic, and moving
organized to do so. Furthermore, timings articulation and implementation of a forward, he must maintain momentum
Shortly after his speech at the New “feminist agenda” per our definition
did little to anticipate or accommodate and urgency. Furthermore, we urge the
School, the Secretary-General launched above; the delineation of a team
global engagement; from HLPF to UNGA, Secretary-General to more frequently
a Call to Action for Human Rights at responsible for seeing it through; and
the timings of various virtual events were and substantively recognize multiple and
the opening of the Human Rights Council the transparency, accessibility and
still scheduled in EST, and held over long intersecting forms of discrimination—
where he identified gender equality as permeability of that process to civil
hours that resulted in participants in the even within the U.N. system. He must
a priority. In a follow-up to this Call, per society stakeholders. Our 2020 analysis
Eastern hemisphere in particular staying speak more regularly and in more depth
comments submitted by the EOSG, the finds that progress is needed in the about the effects of racism, LBGTIQ+
up until two and three o’clock in the
morning in order to stay engaged. EOSG and the Office of the U.N. High following areas: rights, adolescent girls, disability and the
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) intersections of multiple identities—and
This also raises questions of how the U.N. have been working closely to transform In the context of COVID-19, the Secretary- ensure that these serve as the foundation
would integrate the voices and needs of these priorities into concrete actions and General seems to have sharpened the of future policies, programming and
those women and girls without internet transform his commitments in the speech feminist lens through which he views leadership decisions.
access. As one key informant pointed into improved realities on the ground. the world, increasing the scope of his
out, “How many grassroots organizations According to the EOSG, work has begun gender analysis and its connection to
According to information provided by the
holding the gender equality agenda can on leveraging the U.N. to repeal gender other issues. He has been a key global
EOSG, the EOSG and OHCHR are working
afford to be on video and deliberate with discriminatory laws and use the human spokesperson bringing needed attention
to advance implementation of the SG’s
decision-makers?” rights tools available under the Convention to the pandemic’s detrimental effects
Call to Action for Human Rights in two
on the Elimination of all Forms of on women’s rights and gender equality
areas: amending discriminatory laws
Promoting and protecting civic space— Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), through his speeches, social media
and increasing the use of TSMs. We urge
which refers to opportunities for citizens such as the use of Temporary Special engagement and various official policy
the Secretary-General to see through all
and civil society organizations to freely briefs and documents. This is critical
Measures (TSMs) and quotas, for more remaining Call to Action commitments,
assemble and express their views—has progress at a challenging time. He must
catalytic progress on SDG 5 and ensuring and ensure more meaningful inclusion of
also been on the U.N.’s agenda.35 In line continue to raise awareness about
women’s participation across all spheres civil society throughout the U.N. system.
with the SG’s Call to Action for Human the Beijing Declaration and upcoming
of society. The Call to Action for Human The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed
Rights, the U.N. issued a Guidance Note on Generation Equality Forum, particularly to
Rights—released to commemorate the the world’s power differentials and
Protection and Promotion of Civic Space in audiences who may be less familiar with
U.N.’s 75th year—also pledges to “launch a challenged its institutions. The U.N. must
September. This Guidance Note, directed this commemoration.
to U.N. staff and leadership, recognizes dialogue on more systematic participation use this opportunity to reexamine its own
civic space as essential to COVID-19 of civil society in United Nations bodies Moving forward, we urge the Secretary- establishment, and defy the remnants of
response and recovery, and urges U.N. and agencies, with special attention to General to continue using his leadership colonialism and hegemony within its own
leadership to understand “attempts at women’s rights organizations and young platform to ensure that U.N. agencies ranks. As virtual meetings and conferences
limiting participation and silencing those people” and to “design a system-wide and programs, as well as member continue into 2021—and perhaps longer—
who speak” as “early warning signs” of strategy on civic space and adequate states, prioritize women and girls in their the U.N. must ensure broad reach and
restrictive action. The Guidance Note guidance to U.N. leaders in the field,” COVID-19 response and recovery teams accessibility. It must accommodate
recognizes women advocates, LGBTI among other commitments.37 and plans. In moments of crisis, gender multiple time zones, set up mechanisms
is often forgotten, robbed of human and for more meaningful participation and
financial resources that are redirected determine effective strategies to engage
to other urgent crises. We commend women and communities without
Secretary-General Guterres for recognizing digital access.20 ICRW A Report Card on the Secretary-General’s Fourth Year From The Feminist U.N. Campaign 21
TWO access to sexual and reproductive health Similarly, one key informant pointed out Declaration as “problematic.” This civil
2020 GRADE: B- ENSURE FEMINIST services and rights; and ending the gender that it seems the SG is “hitting the right society representative pointed out that it
2019: C pay gap are just some of the areas we notes” in many of his words and speeches. was “harder to call for accountability” and
2018: C IMPLEMENTATION AND are targeting.” We ask the Secretary- Guterres must continue highlighting the that the format was “tricky and opaque.”
2017: D+ ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE General and the Deputy Secretary-General connections between the 2030 Agenda In addition to the Ministerial Declaration,
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT to ensure that the Decade of Action and other key anniversaries and turning on which member states never reached an
is not just about awareness-raising, points, like the COVID-19 pandemic and agreement, key informants noted that the
GOALS (SDGs) but also implementation and long- economic recovery, the anniversaries of resolution on ECOSOC reform “went into
term sustainability. the Beijing Declaration and Platform for hiding” with no mechanism for civil society
Progress to date: Action and other human rights instruments input. Another key informant pointed out
We only have ten more years to realize Despite the urgency of instituting a and occasions. He should also take actions that meeting times were mostly amenable
the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Decade of Action, we find less frequent where he is able to institutionalize those to those in the Global North, and that few
Sustainable Development— and COVID-19 references to the SDGs and their relation connections—as he has in the case of the translations were available.
has only set a world that was already to gender equality in the Secretary- COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
behind further off-track. In such a context, General’s speeches. These were, While online convenings have the potential
it is essential that Secretary-General understandably, largely overtaken by Each year, the HLPF is cited as an area to reach more people, their design can
Guterres advance public communication, references to COVID-19 and its detrimental of weakness in the Secretary-General’s either restrict or expand meaningful
implementation and member state impact on women. There are a few agenda. While the HLPF is largely a participation. In the case of HLPF, key
assistance to achieve the SDGs, and powerful examples, however. In his member state-driven process, as is SDG informants indicated that potential for
in particular, to champion Goal 5 on address marking the 64th session of CSW, implementation, the Secretary-General expansion fell victim to exclusion: as one
gender equality, which has suffered Guterres claimed: “We all understand and the Deputy Secretary-General can survey respondent pointed out, “Due to the
acute setbacks across targets in the the imperative of achieving Sustainable play a key role in raising global attention nature of it having to be virtual, there was
wake of the pandemic. Development Goal 5 on gender equality. to the forum and its purpose—but they limited ability to have discussions on the
This is, quite simply, a question of justice.” continually fall short of responding to civil margins or to meet with member states to
This urgency is clearly not lost on the He also noted that achieving the SDGs is society concerns. Each year, civil society give better language, red lines or input to
SG. In January, the Secretary-General integral to “accelerate the implementation organizations cite restrictions on their the negotiations in general.”
launched the Decade of Action to deliver of the Beijing Platform for Action.” We time and participation in HLPF, as well as
the SDGs. This was a direct response commend and encourage the SG for this intimidation from member states. Civil Our survey showed mixed results on civil
to the 2019 Political Declaration of the language, as linking SDG implementation society organizations possess important society’s level of satisfaction with HLPF,
High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)— with human rights and the Beijing insights on local development processes, likely demonstrating the varied effects
wherein member states called upon Declaration and Platform for Action was implementation and impacts on local of the shift to online convenings: virtual
the SG to mobilize actors in “generating one of the Feminist U.N. Campaign’s communities. Limiting their participation in events can enhance accessibility for some
solutions and accelerating action” on initial recommendations. HLPF thereby prevents accurate reporting respondents, while restricting it for others.
SDG implementation, and to “organize on SDG progress. In an era of shrinking civil Survey results, as demonstrated in this
an annual moment to highlight inspiring As in years past, a majority of global civil society space, the Feminist U.N. Campaign section’s figures show that 41 percent of
action on the Goals.”38 The Decade society representatives who responded asks the Secretary-General to use his respondents were satisfied or very satisfied
of Action calls for global, local and to our survey39 either agree or strongly leadership platform to request greater with consultation between governments
“people” action to advance sustainable agree that the Secretary-General has accommodation, respect and equity for and civil society on SDG implementation in
development. In his speech at the New expressed support for full implementation civil society participants. It is also important the 2020 HLPF, 35 percent were dissatisfied
School on “Women and Power,” Guterres of SDG 5 on gender equality (83 percent), to make connections between the HLPF or very dissatisfied, and 21 percent were
announced, “The Decade of Action is as well as gender mainstreaming across and other U.N. mechanisms on human neutral. On satisfaction with opportunities
aimed at transforming institutions and all SDGs (75 percent) (n=87). Indeed, rights, as the HLPF remains a largely for civil society to input into the Ministerial
structures, broadening inclusion and actions speak louder than words, and voluntary convening. Declaration, 47 percent felt satisfied or very
driving sustainability. Repealing laws that in 2020 the SG explicitly linked the satisfied, while 35 percent felt dissatisfied
discriminate against women and girls; COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund This year’s HLPF encountered new—yet or very dissatisfied, and 18 percent were
increasing protection against violence; to SDG implementation, and to Goal 5 avoidable—challenges as the format neutral. On satisfaction with the SG’s efforts
closing the gap in girls’ education and in particular, in its Terms of Reference moved entirely online. One key informant to increase opportunities for civil society
digital technology; guaranteeing full (to be further addressed in Section 3). described the negotiation of the Ministerial participation in this HLPF, 47 percentYou can also read
