She sees the members of the United Nations as the organization's clients. As such, are they satisfied with what is being done? That's a question that motivates how the United Nations' current Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro sees her role and the role of those around her. Her ethos is to aspire to do more and be introspective when it comes to the UN's mission.  It's a proactive attitude that makes her a figure for the 21st century.

Migiro was born in 1956 in Songea, a small town in Tanzania. She pursued a higher education path – unlike many young African women – and graduated with a Master of Law from the University of Dar-Es-Salaam in 1984. She then emigrated to Germany where she pursued a doctoral degree in law at the University of Constanz, from which she graduated in 2001.

Migiro's career took a turning point in 2005 when she was chosen to take on the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Tanzania. While in office she focused on the search for peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region, as it was and remains one of the most tension-consumed areas on the continent. She managed to combine this high responsibility with chairing meetings of the International Ministerial Council on the Great Lakes region. These concluded in the signing of the Pact of Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region.

In 2007, the Tanzanian jurist-turned-politician found herself in possession of a UN badge. As Deputy Secretary-General, Migiro is Ban Ki-moon's right hand; she is the third person to hold the job in the international organization's history.

The post had been vacant for almost a year before Migiro stepped in. The former occupant, Mark Malloch Brown, had refused to extend his mission for another term. With the office previously tainted by the alleged mishandling of the Oil for Food Program scandal involving Iraq's former President Saddam Hussein by both Brown and Louise Fréchette (the first UN Deputy Secretary-General during Kofi Annan's tenure), a lot of hope was riding on Migiro.

Her reputation as a dedicated diplomat and a hardworking advocate for her country on the international scene certainly preceded her. When Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete heard about her appointment, he said, "I am sure that she is going to discharge her duties very well at the UN."

It was a turning point for the United Nations as well. In the face of important reforms at the time, it was clear someone was needed to coordinate reorganization efforts and that someone was Migiro. Three years in, she continues to maintain UN values while keeping her focus trained on African countries. Indeed, Migiro has repeatedly claimed it to be her main goal, addressing the precariousness of impoverished areas because "without peace, development cannot be achieved."

The idea of an African co-heading the world's most recognized international organization is important, to say the least, because it adds a new perspective for dealing with Africa's problems. It's even more striking that a woman could achieve so much.

Essentially, what Migiro has been fighting for as a fervent feminist and advocate for women is empowerment. Her goal is to sensitize women into pursuing careers. As a wife and working mother of two, she is adamant in her belief that being a woman should not create an "either/or" issue. Combining family and career should always be an option for women.

This theme is tied to inequality between men and women in the workplace. The year 2010 is a symbolic milestone in the fight for gender equality since it coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Beijing, which established principles and measures for the international community to adopt to eliminate gender-based discrimination on the job.

Migiro has repeatedly acknowledged the progress made in the last 15 years, but is careful to add that these same issues women face still remain. At the International Forum on the Role of Leadership in Promoting Gender Equality that took place in Kigali, Rwanda, this past May, Migiro took the opportunity to reiterate the stakes of such a battle.

In her speech, she congratulated governments for their efforts and achievements before stating how much more needed to be done. Women still suffer from gender discrimination that bars them from opportunities and professions in everything from business to politics and media. "Increasing gender equality and women's empowerment, as a means of accelerating growth and development, is an end itself," she stated.

Migiro still has a few challenges to take up and some walls to break down when it comes to gender equality and women's emancipation. Given the time and energy she puts into addressing UN issues, her devotion to defending her personal beliefs is to be lauded and those walls are beginning to tremble.