Feminists from the South continue to strongly express their views on UNIFEM appointment  

It is almost a month after the appointment of Dr. Ines Alberdi as Director of UNIFEM, yet feminists, particularly from the developing South, continue to strongly voice out their heart-felt disappointment in UNIFEM’s appointment process and choice. Such expressions appear to be primarily stirred by the lack of transparency and accountability displayed by the appointment process, especially since UNIFEM is considered an offshoot of the women’s movements by many feminists.

This recent development has also brought out new fears over crucial issues affecting the UN’s response to women’s human rights concerns such as the GEAR campaign, the implementation and monitoring of the UNSCR 1325 and the issue of financing gender equality.

There is a growing demand for the new Executive Director of UNIFEM to conduct a genuine consultation which would include an examination of the very process which put her into power. In the absence of such, feminists from the South give their unsolicited advice to UNIFEM’s new Director.

“At that high level of appointment, so much politics is being played, it's no more about what’s right for women or the constituencies, it's more about who has political clout. The fact that they appointed somebody from the North is quite disappointing.

There should be consultations. [She should] talk to everyone who can possibly give her a sense of possibilities and realities [that] are out there. UNIFEM should take a hard look.”

-- Susanna George, former Executive Director and General Membership, Isis International

“We worry about wider implications, UNIFEM has a critical role to play within the UN including monitoring the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 by UN agencies. Such a role must be undertaken without any political interference, internal or external.”

“[If I were in her position] I would take stock on the concerns raised by women of the global South....especially as this is more than about one appointment but the implications and concerns about the overall UN REFORM;

“I would also start thinking about how to create a parallel process of engagement with women's networks, just as I manage the relationship with other UN agencies and member states - because I also recognise that much of the advancements to date for gender equality and women's human rights have been the result of the realities of women across the world and the women of the global South.  

-- Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls, Executive Director, FemLINK Pacfic

“It was a clear indication from the UN that it takes very lightly the recommendations that were put forward by women leaders from the Asia [and] Pacific [region], who have more knowledge on the issues affecting women and young girls on the ground.”

“[I suggest] visiting this part of the world and see what women do, listen to their stories and experiences as well as see the way they live. This will give her a clear picture of what areas she should prioritise and focus on. She has to come down to where we are in order to understand our problems and see things the way we see things here in Asia-Pacific.”  

-- Ella Kauhue, Solomon Islands

“UNIFEM was born as a result of social pressure from the world women's movement, giving rise to an innovative process within the UN. This kick off still nurtures the movement's common expectation to maintain procedures that are consistent with this origin. However, on this occasion, it has been clearly shown that the criteria used do not respond either to those established by the UN itself, or by the proposals set forth by the international women's networks.

We hope that the new Executive Director will act based on the acknowledgement of the women's movements at global level and promote a gender entity with budget, strategies and policies that consider the rights of half of the world population.”

-- International Gender and Trade Network – Latin America

“We are deeply concerned that such a candidate [referring to Gita Sen] who was eminently suitable and short-listed for the position was sidelined in the final decision making process which was neither fair nor transparent. We are greatly disappointed that the UN failed to maintain its integrity and accountability in the recruitment process and did not adhere to the principles of justice and equality expected of such an institution.

We respect and defend the role of UNIFEM as the foremost UN agency responsible for the promotion, protection and enabling of women's rights, equality and justice. We intend to continue working with the organization even when lodging this strong protest against political pressure and maneuverings brought to bear on due process. This is especially important in the current context of the struggle for a new gender architecture in rder to strengthen civil society's ability to hold the UN accountable through stronger and more transparent processes that can enable and Strengthen women's rights, equality, non discrimination and justice.”

-- South Asian Women’s Organisations Statement on UNIFEM Appointment*