A Brief History of International Day of Women in Diplomacy

It is perplexing that even in the 21st century, the significance of women's involvement in political matters still needs validation. Women's contributions in diplomacy, like in many other fields, have long been undermined, resulting in limited awareness of their profound impact. The International Day of Women in Diplomacy aims to illuminate their roles and raise awareness among the wider population about their valuable contributions.

24th June is celebrated as International Day of Women in Diplomacy | Source: Gulfnews.com

Women are often categorised as the accommodating and agreeable gender, which should naturally lead to greater representation in the field of diplomacy. However, this influential domain appears to be so predominantly dominated by men that it overshadows even the remarkable achievements of women. Despite then having to overcome immense challenges to achieve the same. The International Day of Women in Diplomacy strives to shed light on their active contributions and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve.

Celebrated annually on June 24th, this day signifies the progress made towards achieving gender equality as acknowledged in 2014. However, it was not until the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that a consensus was reached to officially commemorate this day as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.

Although the concept of gender equality and the demand for it has existed for a long time, the realisation of equality in political decision-making has been a subject of prolonged debate. Despite the granting of equal rights on paper, true equality was only achieved when women were granted the freedom to actively participate. Yet, gender equality remains a contentious topic in the diplomatic and political spheres.

Thilmeeza Hussain, the Maldives ambassador to the UN, highlighted the underrepresentation of women in diplomatic ranks, stating:

“As women climb the diplomatic ranks, they are outnumbered by their male peers, including at United Nations Headquarters, where they represent only one-fifth of the permanent representative”

In an effort to bring forth the maximum number of accomplished women to the forefront of diplomacy, the UN took the initiative to designate the 24th of June as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.

Contrary to the dictated gender norms of the past, women in politics are viewed by impartial observers as key to achieving advancements in social standards that have yet to be attained by men. Time and again, it has been demonstrated that encouraging women's participation in diplomatic positions yields influential results. Scientific evidence presented by the UN itself indicates that women tend to exhibit greater consideration for the general public. Their involvement fosters a sense of comfort among the masses, making them the cohesive force that holds society together.

Some of India’s most significant contributors to international peace talks in recent years have been women diplomats. Vidisha Maitra stands out as one of the few Indian women elected to theUN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). Ruchira Kamboj holds the distinction of being India’s first female envoy to Bhutan, and Sneha Dubey has made history as India's first secretary at the United Nations.

When women diplomats participate in the decision-making process, choices are often approached with an empathetic mindset. Their strategies, task prioritisation, and leadership styles differ from those of men, bringing a refreshing perspective on matters at hand.

By increasing the representation of women on the diplomatic front, nations can challenge the long-standing patriarchal norm that suggests women are incapable of making logical, coherent decisions due to their emotions. Contrary to these misconceptions, women have constantly demonstrated that their empathetic leadership styles are forward-thinking, grounded in well-defined problem-solving methods, and enable them to make the best choices even under immense pressure.

Even today, out of the 193 member states of the UN, only 34 women have held elected positions as heads of state or government. While this progress may appear modest when comparing theoretical ideals to practical actions, it exceeds the expectations placed on women as recently as 2010. Despite the slow pace of progress for women in the political field, there is still hope that the growing popularity of this celebratory day will raise awareness of the significant role women play in advancing national relationships.