Leticia R. Shahani (1929- ) was assistant secretary-general for social development and humanitarian affairs (1981-86) during which time she served as secretary-general of the Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi in 1985. Before this she had worked in the UN’s Division of Human Rights (1964-68) and in 1974 chaired the Commission on the Status of Women. She also served as secretary-general of the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and the Treatment of Offenders. She has held positions in the Philippine Senate for over ten years and been undersecretary of foreign affairs; chair and commissioner of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women; and Ambassador to Australia and Romania. She was born in the Philippines and educated at Wellesley College, Columbia University, and the University of Paris.

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