Explainer: International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Explainer

By Nikita Anand

On June 24, we celebrate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to honor women for their exemplary roles in diplomacy and their efforts in building the multilateral system. A UN resolution urges women to participate on an equal footing with men to create a future where women are motivated to pursue careers in diplomacy, development, and world peace.

Historically, women's representation in international diplomacy has been limited. Out of the 850 delegates who signed the United Nations Charter in 1945, only 4 were female. While women's representation at the UN and in international diplomacy has increased since then, it has not kept pace with the necessary rate of progress. Women have made significant contributions to international affairs, evident in key negotiations like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and peace processes in Liberia and Ireland. Despite these contributions, women continue to face obstacles and remain underrepresented in high-level positions.

Women’s leadership is increasingly vital in today's complex global environment. Their sensitivity to specific domestic and foreign policies allows them to focus on areas crucial for long-term stability and peace. Research shows that the likelihood of instability and conflict is considerably diminished and peace agreements last longer when women are represented at the negotiating table. Women’s strong commitment to human rights, social justice, and the welfare of all contributes to a more inclusive decision-making process.

Despite progress, women still face numerous challenges in diplomacy. Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council, enacted in 2000, aimed to promote women's participation in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, and strengthen the protection of women's rights against gender-based violence. However, the implementation has been uneven, and there are still very few powerful women in high-level diplomatic positions. Encouragingly, the percentage of female diplomats globally increased from 16% in 2018 to 20.5% in 2023. This progress highlights the growing recognition of the importance of women in diplomacy.

India has a long history of supporting women's rights internationally. This commitment is demonstrated through the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality), membership in the 2019 Biarritz Partnership for Gender Equality, and admission to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj's recent retirement marks the end of an outstanding 35-year career as India's Permanent Representative to the UN. She has been an inspiration, dismantling barriers between genders in diplomacy. She was the first woman to occupy a number of important roles, such as India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO. Her commitment to gender parity opens doors for more female diplomats in the future. The remarkable career of Ambassador Kamboj is an inspiration, especially for young women who want to pursue careers in diplomacy. Her accomplishments show that anyone can reach the highest levels of achievement with perseverance, hard effort, and dedication regardless of gender. Women's leadership in diplomacy is essential for a more inclusive and cooperative approach to international relations. By honoring women like Ambassador Kamboj and advocating for equal representation, we can continue to make progress toward a more equitable and peaceful world.

Disclaimer: This paper is the author's individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization's viewpoint.