Ban: We must view women as "agents of change"

265 views · Published 15 July 2009 · 2:34 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: United Nations · 2009 · News & Politics

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United Nations, New York, 15 July 2009 - Today in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt the Secretary-General has addressed the First Ladies Summit on women in crisis management. 

In his keynote address Ban Ki-moon said women must be viewed "as agents of change". He also added that at the United Nations "we advocate for women, but more than that, we involve women."

Mr. Ban noted that under his tenure as Secretary-General, more women have been appointed to senior positions than ever before, nearly tripling their number in top managerial roles.

The Secretary-Generals wife, Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, also participated in the First Ladies Summit, convened by Egypts First Lady, Suzanne Mubarak.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ban stressed that when women have social equality and assurance to be able to make their own decisions, they can help solve the worlds many problems. Women hold the key to tackling the financial crisis and the problem of hunger, but the question is how to turn that key and unlock the solution, she added.

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