Ban Ki-Moon mourns death of former adviser on gender issues

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon voiced sadness at the death of Angela E.V. King, the Jamaican who served as the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, and paid tribute to her legacy in fervently championing the equality of women and men.

“Angela King led the United Nations’ efforts for the empowerment of women with knowledge, passion and courage”, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said.
Ms. King, whose United Nations career spanned 40 years, was appointed to the post by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and served as Special Adviser from March 1997 until her retirement in early 2004. Mr. Ban credited her with work in translating into practice the Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Ms. King joined the United Nations in 1966 from the Permanent Mission of Jamaica, where she was one of the first two women foreign service officers posted after the country joined the world body, working on matters relating to human rights and social development.

“She will be mourned with profound affection and respect by many friends and allies around the world”, Mr. Ban said, extending his condolences to Ms. King’s family. Ms. King passed away on 6 February.
(Source: UN News Centre, 6 February)