Women's Access, Representation and Leadership in the United Nations

"The UN is not impenetrable, nor is it static. Kirsten Haack here gives us revealing and nuanced gendered data over time to chart and make sense of the actual workings of the UN. I felt like a feminist miner as I dug into this timely book."

- - Cynthia Enloe, author of Bananas, Beaches and Bases, updated edition (2014)

"This book fills a yawning gap. Bringing together feminist theory and leadership studies with an impressive array of data and case studies, Kirsten Haack demonstrates the difference that action on gender parity can make in the flow of ideas, norms, and policies."

- - Margaret P. Karns, Professor Emerita of Political Science, University of Dayton and Senior Fellow in Global Governance and Human Security, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA

"The achievement of gender parity at the UN is the longest revolution. This is an important book that should be read by all those who care about effective global governance."

The face of international politics has changed significantly in the 21st century: it has become increasingly female. Whether that includes women in multilateral meetings, global conferences and embassies, or women at the UN and one of its many agencies in the field, it is apparent that women are accessing leadership positions in a variety of areas. This book investigates the development of gender equality at the United Nations by analyzing women in leadership roles. This introduction of empirical feminism to the study of international organizations applies what is known about women's participation and representation in comparative politics and gender studies to the United Nations System. It traces women's access to leadership roles, and explains where and why a range of hurdles prevent women from participating in the work of the UN. In doing so, it offers insights into recruitment and human resources practices and their politics, and into leadership by bureaucratic actors.

Kirsten Haack is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Northumbria University, UK.