Three Women Vie to be UN's First Female Secretary-General

Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and UN Human Rights Chief, Rebeca Grynspan, head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and former Vice President of Costa Rica, and María Fernanda Espinosa, former Foreign Minister of Ecuador, are the three candidates running to become the UN's first female Secretary-General. They are vying to succeed Antonio Guterres, who will step down at the end of his five-year term.

During a debate held in Geneva, the candidates presented their diplomatic credentials and emphasized the importance of women's representation in leadership roles. Espinosa, 61, argued that a woman should lead the UN, while Bachelet, 74, stated she is unafraid to take risks.

Grynspan, 70, called for a selection process free from preferential treatment. The election process involves recommendations from the UN Security Council's five permanent members, with deliberations expected to begin in late July and a General Assembly vote to follow.