He Called Himself An 'Honorary Woman': Remembering A U.N. Crusader
"Our world lost a great champion of well-being for all, especially women & girls."
That's how U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres responded, on Twitter, to the news that Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, a renowned advocate for the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls around the world, had died Sunday night at his home.
The Nigerian doctor, 68, since 2011. The year that he was appointed, made it clear how this father of five took lessons from his own parenthood as guidelines. He told how his children "teach me about their own lives" – and how he was going to let the world's young people teach him in his new role at UNFPA: "Too often we imagine that we know what young people need" but to his mind, adults need to "listen and experience, to learn about our children, our ability to allow them their space."
