Zerbo joins Gender Champions Initiative

CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo joined the ranks of other senior Executives as an enthusiastic Gender Champion. The Gender Champions Initiative was launched in Geneva in 2015, followed by New York earlier this year.  It was spearheaded in Vienna by the Permanent Missions of the United States, Costa Rica and Slovenia to the Vienna based Organizations. Gender equality is essential for us to achieve peace, defend rights, foster economic growth, and promote the well-being of all. “International Gender Champions” is a network of executive leaders committed to making a global impact on work culture and the integration of gender parity across sectors and around the world. Together committed leaders will generate momentum at the highest levels to champion meaningful change and facilitate strong cross-cutting links for the greatest possible impact. For this high level Initiative, each Gender Champion commits personally to undertake specific actions to promote gender equality and lead by example. Executive Secretary Zerbo committed personally to:

• Create policies procedures in CTBTO for more flexibility in working hours for the first year of maternity/paternity;
• Create a shadowing programme for up to 10 students from high school onwards that can follow the work of a professional, with a 4:1 ratio of women to men;
• Involve more women through the CTBTO Youth Group to engage in science-based diplomacy for peace and security.

See the full pledge here (pdf).