An open letter of congratulations to Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Soroptimist International congratulates Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on her appointment to a second term as Executive Director of UN Women.
We applaud the decision by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, to provide you with a second term as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for a further period of four years. We believe this applauds the work done to date, and gives continuity and confidence in the work proposed by UN Women at a time when we need to focus our efforts to create a world with gender equality by 2030.
The Soroptimist International theme is ‘Educate to Lead’. Many Soroptimists were present at the launch of UN Women in 2010 and follow closely the developments towards gender equality. We too, work towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and would be delighted to celebrate UN Women’s 20th anniversary and achievement of the SDGs in 2030. You have served as a role model giving hope to women all over the world.
Soroptimists (in 130 countries) applaud UN Women’s vital mandate and strong leadership. We congratulate you on your achievements to date, especially the heforshe campaign, in recognition of the need to partner with men and boys and for your efforts to bring the most important issues affecting women’s lives to the attention and focus of the Member States and civil society. We look forward to the next four years with you at the helm of UN Women.
With great respect
Yvonne Simpson
President
Soroptimist International
2015 – 2017
Photo: President Yvonne and UN Women Executive Director Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at CSW 2016