While Kenyans are busy arguing about the two third gender rule, women in neighbouring countries like Ethiopia and Tanzania are making huge strides in their careers and being appointed to top positions they never imagined they’d have about ten years ago.
Tanzanian Microbiologist Joyce Msuya was today appointed to head United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) following the resignation of Erik Solheim.
“My last townhall with a fantastic team at @UNEnvironment in Nairobi. We have so much to be proud of. And this is certainly not goodbye!” said Erik on a Twitter post.
My last townhall with a fantastic team at @UNEnvironment in Nairobi. We have so much to be proud of. And this is certainly not goodbye! pic.twitter.com/N1FYRP83VG
— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) November 21, 2018
Ms. Joyce Msuya who now takes over Erik, holds a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Ottawa, Canada. She is also a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Scotland where she got her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Immunology.
Additionally, the 50-year old holds an Executive General Management Certificate from Harvard Business School (USA) and a Public Health Certificate from Johns Hopkins University (USA).
Msuya joined the United Nations(UN) on August 15, 2018 after she was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to be the UNEP Deputy Executive Director.
Before her appointment to the UN, Joyce served as an Adviser to the World Bank Vice President, East Asia and Pacific Region in Washington, D.C. She also worked as the first World Bank Special Representative and Head of the World Bank Group (WBG) in the Republic of Korea.
Erik Solheim, a former politician and a diplomat resigned as the UNEP Head after an internal audit report released indicated that he had gobbled up $500,000 in unnecessary and budgeted travel expenses in just 22 months.
I am sad to be leaving @UNEnvironment as we have achieved so much together. I will continue to champion the cause of the environment! https://t.co/8VF7A9V2b1
— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) November 20, 2018
“I am sad to be leaving @UNEnvironment as we have achieved so much together. I will continue to champion the cause of the environment!” read a tweet on his official account.
Erik Solheim joined the UNEP in 2016 when he replaced Achim Steiner as the agency’s Executive Director.
Prior to his appointment at UNEP, Solheim was the Chairperson of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Do you support the appointment of Joyce as UNEP Head?