Dr. Tedros Adhanom has been elected the next Director-General of the World Health Organization.
The Ethiopian born Adhanom is the first African to be elected into the post.
Wome Deliver, a global advocate for Women and Girls right has already congratulated the Ethiopian diplomat on his well deserved victory.
The group in its congratulatory letter said Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus’ appointment comes at a time when the world needs a fierce and proactive advocate for gender equality and the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women more than ever.
“Throughout the campaign, he pledged to make the health of women, children, and adolescents a focus of his tenure,” the group wrote.
“As Dr. Tedros and this community know all too well, actions speak louder than words. Starting with his first 100 days as Director-General, Dr. Tedros must start fulfilling the promises he made on the campaign trail, and then some.
“Equally important, he must strengthen the WHO’s gender balance and engagement with young people and civil society not just because it’s the right thing to do, but the sound thing to do.
“We at Women Deliver are excited to work closely with Dr. Tedros to prioritize girls and women, not just because they are disproportionately affected by global challenges, but because girls and women are powerful agents of change who lift up everyone around them,” said Katja Iversen, President/CEO of Women Deliver. “Investments in the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women are not optional, but foundational to catalytic reform and progress for all.”
Tedros Adhanom is an Ethiopian politician, academic, public health authority and diplomat who served in the government of Ethiopia as Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016.