Last year, for the first time, we achieved gender parity in the UN’s Senior Management

Group and among those who lead UN teams around the world.

And we are working to achieve parity across the whole United Nations system within a decade.

Gender equality is essential to the effectiveness of our work, and we cannot afford to miss

out on the contributions of half of the world’s population.

And women’s equal participation in the labor force would unlock trillions of dollars for

global development.

Let us be clear: we cannot build the future we want and achieve the Sustainable Development

Goals without the full participation of women.

Yet women and girls around the world still face many challenges.

On International Women’s Day, we ask all to join us to “Think equal, build smart,

and innovate for change”.

And we need more women leaders participating in public life and taking decisions.

Let’s redouble our efforts against the discrimination and violence women and girls face violence

every day.

Let’s step it up for gender equality and make sure that no woman or girl is left behind!

Millions of young girls are preparing to start their working life.

But far too often, girls don’t get the opportunity to realize their dreams and grow into their

power.

We need to change that!

Let’s invest in girls’ education and skills so they become the leaders and innovators, that they were born to be.

Women leaders are essential role models and I am proud to work with dynamic and creative

women every day as we lead the United Nations into a new era.

I wish you all the best for International Women’s Day!