Women should be at the "front and centre" of the pandemic recovery as a matter of economics, efficiency, effectiveness and social resilience, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Commission on the Status of Women (CWS)on Tuesday.

"Male-dominated teams will come up with male-dominated solutions", he said.

"We cannot go back to the failed man-made policies that have resulted in the fragility we see around us – in healthcare systems, in social protection, in access to justice, and in the wellbeing of our planet."

The U.N. chief highlighted the devastating social and economic effects the pandemic has had on women's rights.

To ensure that everyone enjoys life, dignity and security on a healthy planet, he said there was a need to "reset" policies on the basis of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Guterres stressed that "gender equality is a question of power", and as such, "women's full representation and leadership are a prerequisite" in moving forward. 

"We need a more inclusive, networked multilateralism that recognizes the strength that comes through diversity. We cannot talk about inclusive multilateralism without including half the world's population", he said.

(With input from agencies)