Soroptimist International welcomes the announcement  that Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka from South Africa will be the new Executive Director of UN Women, the organization leading UN’s work on advancing gender equality and women’s rights.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka  became a Member of Parliament in South Africa in 1994 and from 2005-8 was the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President.  Before her parliamentary career, she was Young Women’s Coordinator for the World Young Women’s Christian Association in Geneva (1984-1986) and served as the first President of the Natal Organization of Women.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka established Umlambo Foundation in 2008 to provide support to schools in impoverished areas in South Africa through mentoring and coaching for teachers and in Malawi through school improvements with local partners.

Soroptimist International Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe says:

 “We are delighted that Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will take over as Executive Director of UN Women. We particularly welcome her strong track record in promoting education through the Umlambo foundation, and are delighted to see that she has experience of working with NGOs like the World YWCA. Michelle Bachelet will be a hard act to follow, but with Ms Mlambo-Nguka’s experience  as a leader and advocate for women’s rights, I’m sure she will be a worthy successor and a powerful voice for women.”

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka will take over from Lakshmi Puri, who has been Acting Head of UN Women since the departure of Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, who announced after the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March that she would be returning to her country. Ms.  Bachelet has since announced her intention to run again for the Chilean presidency.