So Many Questions: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka - Head of UN Women

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Are quotas and equal representation the answer?

I am very attracted to it as a strategy because, even here, it gave us a head start.

Do you think it has made a difference in South Africa?

To the extent that it has opened doors for women ...

Has it empowered and protected them?

Just by themselves, quotas and representation are not enough. You need to ensure that the strongest and most appropriate women are appointed to particular positions. You also want to ensure that, whatever barriers women may face as they implement whatever they have to implement, you remove those barriers.

What kind of barriers?

Sometimes it's just about confidence. Right now there's a black woman parliamentarian in Italy who is the subject of ridicule and insult. That must be terribly demoralising.

There are more urgent challenges for women than being insulted in parliament, aren't there?

Oh, yes, absolutely. That is why I was making the example of women who have to deliver on the most basic needs of women, such as nutrition.

And education?

Girl children have to jump many hurdles, as has been exposed in Pakistan. We know in our country that we've got girl children who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and girl children who have to head households. All of those are critical challenges that women face.

Half our cabinet are women; our police chief is a woman. Are you surprised these problems have not been better addressed?

Yes. But I also need to acknowledge that there is a lot that women in politics, in parliament, have been able to do.

Why aren't there better outcomes?

We have implementation problems. The legislation is passed. Maybe we need to be more hands-on as leaders. After passing legislation, after making big decisions, we don't always see them translated into action on the ground.

Are you going to be able to make a difference to this?

I will try. I don't want to be presumptuous, but it is definitely one of the issues that I am passionate about, because poor implementation plagues many countries. But I have been warned that there is a lot of bureaucracy in the UN that one has to contend with.

What influence will your position give you in dealing with member states?

It is a new position. I'm only the second person to be there and my predecessor was there for a very short time. So there are things that are not clear-cut.

Are you going to deal with governments or work at NGO level?

Across the board. With business, with NGOs and with governments. But I think this kind of work lends itself to tighter collaboration with NGOs.

Have they made a difference? Are women more empowered and protected than 10 years ago?

Yes, definitely. But we also have more women who are living in poverty and we have got new violations against women. For instance, the increase of rape in areas of conflict ...

Not only in areas of conflict if one looks at South Africa?

Absolutely. Also new crimes like cybercrimes against women, and the trafficking of women. There are new levels of complexity that set us back.

Aren't these crimes that should be tackled by normal law enforcement and not by you?

I don't think my unit should play the role of Interpol, but we should have a relationship with law enforcers that enables us to point out, to advocate, to lobby.

Is it time to start playing hardball with governments?

There are times when you need to be ready to confront governments.

Are you ready to do this?

Within what I am able to do as a UN agency. I want to be able to build consensus, get governments to commit.

Would you agree that the most important element of empowerment for women is education?

Education, education, education. This is one theme I want to push particularly.

So will you use your position to pressure our government to improve in this area?

I will not single out the South African government ...

Wouldn't it be a wasted opportunity?

I have been appointed as being responsible for women in the world, not just in South Africa .