Gender was a hot topic at last night's #SGdebate

My #SGDebate summary... @Helen4SG for the win. @1for7billion @UNAUK #GuardianLive pic.twitter.com/b7eodMCbJ5

— BakingforPeace (@BakingforPeace) June 3, 2016

Last night, The Guardian Live and UNA-UK held the latest @1For7Billion campaign #SGdebate. Three of the 11 candidates took the stage, all males. H.E. Antonio Guterres, Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees and former Prime Minister of Portugal came out strongest. H.E. Vuk Jeremic, former President of the UN General Assembly and former Foreign Minister of Serbia kept referring to his detailed platform. And H.E. Dr. Igor Luksic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro seemed the least prepared and least knowledgeable about the organisation he aspires to lead. 

Moderator Mark Rice-Oxley opened the debate by acknowledging and explaining the lack of women (scheduling issues) but gender ended up being a hot topic on the night, both in the questions asked and on social media. 

#sgdebate without a woman on stage. Something to do with scheduling but still disappointing. pic.twitter.com/DDkKzVVIN6

— #wifp (@WomenInFP) June 3, 2016

And no woman at the #London #SGdebate :( ... https://t.co/HrEtrrLF4w

— Julia Tinkov (@juliatx) June 3, 2016

@ronpatz @passblue we invited all the candidates... Hope to have an all-female panel next time round #SGdebate

— Natalie Samarasinghe (@Natalie_UNA) June 4, 2016

@sarahelenelson @BakingforPeace Have big meetings in NY today. Unfortunately can't be in 2 places at once. 🌹

— Helen Clark (@Helen4SG) June 3, 2016

3 audience questions from men and 1 from a woman so far and an all male panel 🙃 #SGdebate

— Marion A. Osieyo (@Marion_AO) June 3, 2016

As there was no female candidates on stage, the question "do you consider yourself a feminist" got applauded. How could any candidate have said no? Sadly, most answers focused on the important of 50-50 workforce at the UN, rather than looking into how you can protect and further women's rights and ensure gender equality around the world. 

Q from the audience: it is more important to elect a feminist than a woman? Do you consider yourself a feminist? #sgdebate

— #wifp (@WomenInFP) June 3, 2016

Our favourite Q so far! "Do you consider yourself a feminist?" - YES 🙌 #SGdebate pic.twitter.com/yhUcec3VAW

— Global Citizen (@GlblCtzn) June 3, 2016

One good thing about having all male panel could be getting them to say they're feminist & committing to do more #SGdebate #HeForShe @UNAUK

— Natalie Samarasinghe (@Natalie_UNA) June 3, 2016

Only 24% of under secretary generals are women, @jeremic_vuk says he'll make it 50% immediately #SGdebate

— Camilla Born (@camillaborn) June 3, 2016

"I am a feminist" says Guterres. At @UN level, need to have clear timeframes and benchmarks to achieve parity #SGdebate

— UNA-UK (@UNAUK) June 3, 2016

António Guterres wants clear benchmarks and deadlines within the UN for gender parity. #SGdebate #NextSG pic.twitter.com/pLcab1HwLx

— Global Citizen (@GlblCtzn) June 3, 2016

Need a new legally binding instrument to eradicate violence against women, says @I_Luksic #NextSG #SGdebate

— UNA-UK (@UNAUK) June 3, 2016

If I was elected #NextSG, my deputy would be a female... @I_Luksic #SGdebate

— UNA-UK (@UNAUK) June 3, 2016

There has to be a consistent pursuit of policies to empower women. @UNAUK #SGdebate #GuardianLive

— BILLION WOMEN (@B_WOMEN) June 4, 2016

Should the @UN have a gender quota? #SGdebate #guardianlive @UNAUK

— Henry Tobias Jones (@henrytojones) June 3, 2016

Woman SG would be a powerful symbol, but true representation requires more than that- @jeremic_vuk says he'd ensure equality in Secretariat

— UNA-UK (@UNAUK) June 3, 2016

.@I_Luksic says he appointed a female defence minister & that makes him a feminist. Audience seems less sure... #SGdebate

— UNA-UK (@UNAUK) June 3, 2016

Protection of women and girls is vital but we absolutely MUST focus on their empowerment. #SGdebate @UNAUK

— Lubka Mieresova (@LubkaMieresova) June 3, 2016

Then a question was asked (but not really answered) about sexual misconduct by UN peacekeepers.

Lord Hannay asking candidates how to address sexual misconduct of UN peacekeepers & bring them to trial. #SGdebate pic.twitter.com/bl3PIR1ksv

— FutureUN (@FutureUN) June 3, 2016

Candidates agree that more must be done to sure accountability of #peacekeepers who commit terrible crimes - call for independent tribunals

— UNA-UK (@UNAUK) June 3, 2016

#SGdebate host: why are we punishing the whistleblowers rather than the peacekeepers committing sex crimes? #NextSG @UNAUK

— Tabitha Sanders (@thistabithahope) June 3, 2016