Like any large organisation, public or private, the UN is a complex machine.

More countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.

We have to be very clear with the population and the countries we enter what we can do and what we cannot do.

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.

Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace

The young and dynamic and idealistic people in the square do not have the chance to organise themselves politically, to be able to follow through their dreams in six months time, to play an effective role in the future.

I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.