Youngest women to head country office for UN

Youngest women to head country office for UN

At the intersection of youth and leadership lies a remarkable achievement: the appointment of the youngest woman to helm a country office for the United Nations. This milestone not only embodies the empowerment of women but also showcases the potential of youth in global governance. With determination and vision, she navigates complex diplomatic landscapes, championing inclusivity and sustainable development.

Her ascent signals a shift towards greater diversity and representation within international institutions, inspiring future generations to pursue positions of influence. As she assumes this pivotal role, she symbolises the transformative power of youthful leadership on the world stage.

Nishtha Satyam shares her journey with us.

FROM RECOGNITION TO RESPONSIBILITY:

“My journey, in my view, is that of every woman who grows up to realise that most of what she has faced can be attributed to purely being a woman and then growing up to challenge notions and norms that shape that reality, sometimes silently and sometimes loudly. A typical late 80s kid who grappled with the pace of change. I don’t and can’t particularly point to anything distinct in me or around me, other than growing up to accept that I’m going to treat what I see around as business as usual. Inequality based on gender cannot be the norm”, said Nishtha Satyam

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES:

“At some point, I was amongst the youngest. Now the world organisation is full of young, women leaders, which is the most assuring change I have seen, Throughout my journey, unlearning my own, internalised gender biases proved to be the most significant challenge. Overcoming societal expectations and stereotypes requires constant introspection and resilience”, says Nishtha Satyam

She ads that transitioning from the private sector to the United Nations brought its own set of hurdles, with the realisation that women often face additional pressure to prove their merit in leadership roles.

“Working in Timor-Leste presented the daunting challenge of addressing post-civil war complexities and cultural nuances, demanding nuanced, locally relevant ways of changing reality. Despite these challenges, each experience has contributed to my commitment to dismantling gender biases and advocating for inclusive empowerment on a global scale. There is truly nothing I believe in more”, says Nishtha Satyam.

INTERSECTING ECONOMIES:

“Economics runs the world and I think it’s given me a chance to work on the visualisation of women, not only in national narratives but on ensuring that women are invested in them. The issues we care about have to be funded and supported through greater social sector spending. We need to fund the change, globally, and find sustainable ways to support the agenda. Gender equality cannot be mere, under-invested rhetoric. Knowing that it’s a way to change the world and not investing in and not aligning our macroeconomic and fiscal policies, makes us complicit to further inequality”, says Nishtha Satyam.

NAVIGATING REGIONAL DIVERSITY:

Understanding the cultural, social, and economic context is crucial. We tailor strategies based on local realities and narratives, collaborate with local stakeholders, and promote inclusive dialogue to address region-specific challenges effectively. Adaptability and a gender-sensitive approach are key elements in managing UN Women offices across diverse countries like India, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

Given your involvement in various national and international committees, including those on Gender Budgeting and Artificial Intelligence, how do you see the intersection of these areas influencing policy and societal changes?

You know, the mix of Artificial Intelligence with the increase in access to technology presents a complex challenge, where the world is waking up to newer challenges almost every day.

First off, when it comes to AI, we’ve got to keep an eye on the fact that these systems can sometimes carry, propagate and compound biases and prejudices, especially when it comes to gender. Like, if the data used to train AI is biassed, it can end up making decisions that aren’t fair. So, it’s crucial to tackle these biases head-on and make sure AI is making fair calls, especially in areas like hiring or finance.

But here’s the cool part: we can also use AI to break down barriers. By involving a diverse group of people, including women, in developing AI, we can create a more inclusive world. Imagine how much more awesome our AI solutions could be if we had a variety of perspectives in the mix. This is our chance to influence change through design, intentional design and not look at changing the world, post facto.

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