Promoting Compassionate Issues on the International Stage via Diplomatic Efforts
In the world of diplomacy and humanitarian work, one individual is making a significant impact, championing gender diversity and equality. With a dream to work in the humanitarian and diplomacy field, this individual's career began in 2000 with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The UN system, recognising the importance of gender equality, offers equal opportunities, addresses representational gaps, and puts in place policies to protect both genders from work challenges. This individual's work is focused on overcoming differences and diversities while respecting them, a philosophy that resonates with the UN's mission.
Effective strategies for incorporating gender diversity in diplomatic approaches and styles include institutionalising gender perspectives in strategic planning and leadership, mandating women's representation in peace processes, providing dedicated funding and capacity-building for women leaders, and promoting inclusive, holistic negotiation styles that address social justice and reconciliation.
Key strategies supported by recent developments are:
- Embedding gender perspectives institutionally, as seen in Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has integrated a Gender Affairs Division, increasing women’s representation in ambassador roles and leadership positions.
- Mandated gender representation and quotas, such as the push for mandatory gender representation in peace talks by 2030, ensuring women participate meaningfully at all negotiation stages.
- Dedicated funding and training, like the resources allocated to train, empower, and support women peacebuilders, helping build sustainable leadership capacity and mentoring programs.
- Promoting diverse negotiation styles, with women bringing holistic, collaborative approaches to conflict resolution that focus on long-term peace elements such as social justice, education, healthcare, and reconciliation.
- Supporting networks and reforms to boost female leadership, initiatives like Regional Women Mediators Networks, and reforms in military and police leadership in post-conflict zones, helping create environments where women can lead peace and security efforts effectively.
- Training and awareness, increasing diplomats' understanding of gender issues through initiatives like Chile’s Gender Seal program, promoting coordinated and rights-based diplomatic work.
These strategies combined create a diplomatic ecosystem where women's participation is meaningful, leading to more durable and inclusive peace and security outcomes.
The individual's work experience has been varied and impactful. In Libya, they helped women and children refugees secure permanent solutions in a safe and dignified manner. In Kuwait, they've interacted with aspiring young female volunteers, learning from them as much as they've taught.
Gender can significantly influence diplomatic approaches due to socialization, expectations, lived experiences, and gender roles. However, women, with their unique perspectives and skills, can bring a fresh approach to diplomacy, particularly in areas like social and cultural affairs, and peacebuilding.
The individual's mother, a daughter of a diplomat, motivated them to enter the field. They advise young women aspiring to join the foreign service to never underestimate the change they can bring, as they are full of hope, innovation, and creativity. Diplomacy should reflect the diversity of the societies it represents, serving as a bridge to gap these differences and maintain open, constructive, and respectful dialogue.
Traditionally, diplomacy has been a male-dominated field. But with strategies like those outlined above, and the determination of individuals like this one, the future of diplomacy is becoming more inclusive and diverse, offering opportunities for all to shape a better world.
- Recognizing the value of diverse perspectives, this individual, inspired by their mother who was a daughter of a diplomat, advocates for women's representation in education-and-self-development programs focusing on career-development in diplomacy and health-and-wellness, including women's health.
- With a focus on holistic, collaborative approaches, this champion of gender diversity in diplomacy envisions diplomatic institutions promoting science and technology education for women, helping equip them with the necessary skills to bring innovative solutions to health-and-wellness, women's health, and overall wellbeing.
