Apolitical | 29 May 2018
With more nominations than ever before, this is our biggest and most global list yet: drawn from over 9,000 nominations, it recognises and celebrates the hard work being done on gender policy by so many around the world.
Featuring politicians, civil servants, academics and activists, the list both recognises high-profile icons and shines a light on the unsung heroes whose work is indispensable to creating a fairer world for everyone.
CEO and President, Women Deliver
Katja Iversen is CEO of Women Deliver, a leading global advocate for investment in the health, rights and wellbeing of girls and women. Iversen is an expert on development, advocacy and communications, and has more than 20 years of experience working in NGOs, the private sector and UN agencies. She is a health adviser to the Clinton Global Initiative, and is on the civil society consultative group to the World Bank. She has also been named an “International Gender Champion”.
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Helen Clark was the thirty-seventh prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. She served three consecutive terms, and was the first woman to be elected. She advocated strongly for women, including on the issues of gender equality, climate change, global health and human rights. She resigned from parliament in April 2009 to become the first female head of the UN Development Programme, and concurrently chaired the UN Development Group. During her time as administrator, the UNDP was ranked the most transparent global development organisation.
