Baroness Patricia Scotland has pledged to champion equality in the Commonwealth but will do so with respect to the sovereignty of each nation.

In her first words after being elected the first woman secretary general of the 53-nation bloc yesterday, Baroness Scotland acknowledged the disparity in human rights that exists between the different Commonwealth countries.

“We have to make sure each individual has the opportunity to contribute, develop and participate in society but we also have to respect sovereignty… with respect and a lot of patience you can work to bring about change,” she said when asked how the disparity could be reduced.

Asked about the rights of gay people – in many Commonwealth countries homosexuality is still a crime – she said these were difficult issues but “if the Commonwealth chooses to work together in partnership we will find a path to resolve these issues”.

Baroness Scotland will officially take office next April as the sixth Commonwealth secretary general. Born in Dominica, the 60-year-old is a former attorney general in Britain.

The election took longer than expected with sources describing a hot contest between her and the other woman contender, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba from Botswana.