Press Statement

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has welcomed the appointment of Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, an African woman as the new Executive Director of United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women).

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka was appointed on Wednesday, 10 July 2013 by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to head the UN agency principally responsible for the global advancement of gender equality and women's rights.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma hailed the appointment and described it as “square peg in a square hole”, given Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka’s rich credentials, resolute activism and long standing advocacy for the rights of women. According to Dr. Dlamini Zuma, the appointment of Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka is the recognition of the role that African women have played in women’s emancipation. “It gives our continent an opportunity to provide global leadership in the achievement of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment!” Dr. Dlamini Zuma remarked.

According to the AUC Chairperson, this appointment presents both opportunities and challenges as UN Women is expected to deliver gender equality and women’s empowerment in a holistic approach to achieve progress in every sphere of human endeavour within a context of fast changing environment.

A former Deputy President of South Africa, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka is the second Executive Director of UN Women, since its establishment by the UN General Assembly in 2010. She takes over from Michelle Bachellet who returns to her home country, Chile to run for the Presidency.