International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Women have participated in diplomacy for centuries, yet their contributions have often been overlooked. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Women bring immense benefits to diplomacy. Their leadership styles, expertise and priorities broaden the scope of issues under consideration and the quality of outcomes.

Research shows that when women serve in cabinets and parliaments, they pass laws and policies that are better for ordinary people, the environment and social cohesion. Advancing measures to increase women’s participation in peace and political processes is vital to achieving women’s de facto equality in the context of entrenched discrimination.

When women are represented in legislative bodies, it enhances the effectiveness of governance and ensures that a wider range of perspectives and experiences are considered in decision-making processes. This inclusivity not only reflects the diversity of the population but also leads to better-informed policies that address the needs of all citizens.

Despite global commitments to gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in diplomacy and political leadership, with recent trends showing troubling regression. The Human Rights Council and UN Women both highlight systemic barriers which include discrimination, gender stereotypes, and political violence that continue to exclude women from high-level decision-making. Gender norms often confine women to “soft” portfolios, while critical ministries remain male-dominated, and the number of gender-balanced cabinets and equality-focused ministries is shrinking. This marginalization is compounded by increasing violence against women in politics, both online and offline, deterring participation and eroding hard-won progress. In response, bold action is needed

also see: https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-in-diplomacy-day