Diplomatic gender gap: the path to gender equality in diplomacy

Diplomacy was traditionally a “men’s club”, a field totally dominated by men. However, in the twenty-first century, global trends have changed, and women are increasingly becoming more involved in senior diplomatic positions. Gender balance in international relations is becoming not only a matter of fairness, but also of efficiency. Studies show that gender-balanced leadership promotes innovation, economic development, and political stability. Ukraine has also joined this process, but many challenges remain on the path to equality.

Gender balance in diplomacy: a global perspective

The global diplomatic service is gradually changing towards equality. According to the Women in Diplomacy 2024 index, an average of 27% of ambassadors in Europe are women. The leaders in this aspect are Canada (53%), Sweden (51%), and Finland (50%). The G20 countries have shown an improvement from 16.7% in 2018 to 21% in 2024. The European Union is also making progress, with the share of women ambassadors rising to 30% in 2024 from 28% in 2023.

However, globally, women still face barriers. For example, according to the European Parliamentary Research Service, two-thirds of UN member states have never had a woman as head of state. Only five out of 27 EU member states have a woman as a Minister of Defence (18.5%), and only six countries have a female Foreign Minister (22%). Only 30% of EU ambassadors are women, with large differences between countries: Sweden (51%) and Finland (50%) are the leaders, while Italy (15%) and Belgium (12%) are far behind. In NATO countries, women hold 27.5% of defence minister positions – a higher than average figure, but still far from gender parity.

Women in Ukrainian diplomacy

In 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine presented the results of the second gender audit, according to which two women held the positions of deputy ministers out of five, 15 diplomats headed diplomatic missions abroad (22% of the total), the representation of women in senior positions increased by 6% (since 2019) and amounted to 30%, and the share of women holding category B positions in Ukraine’s foreign diplomatic missions rose to 23%. The representation of women as ambassadors and heads of missions has increased by 8% since 2019 and now stands at 22%.

Ukraine has never had a female  head of state, Foreign or Defence Minister. However, today we have female representation in such top government positions as First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Minister of Justice, Minister of Environment, Minister of Social Policy,and Minister of Veterans Affairs.

As mentioned on its official page, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry as an institution strives to set an example and exercise leadership in gender equality. In particular, it has strengthened institutional mechanisms to ensure equal rights and opportunities:

• The Strategy for Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men in the Diplomatic Service of Ukraine until 2025 was adopted.
• An internal policy on combating discrimination and sexual harassment was introduced. For instance, since 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been successfully operating a children’s room created in cooperation with UNICEF. 36 parents use the room on a regular basis: 58% of users are women, 42% are men. 
• Since 2021, the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats has been active, implementing initiatives in the humanitarian and educational spheres, and supporting cultural diplomacy projects.
• Initiatives have been launched to support women’s leadership. In particular, Women’s Diplomatic Club, mentoring system in the MFA, etc.
• The Council for Human Rights, Gender Equality and Diversity was established

Feminist (diplomacy) foreign policy: international experience

Changes in diplomacy have led to the adoption of gender equality policies in diplomatic services (feminist foreign policy) by several leading countries. Such policies have been introduced in Sweden (2014), Canada (2017), France (2019), Mexico (2020), Spain, Libya, Germany, Luxembourg (2021), Chile, Colombia, the Netherlands, Argentina (2022), and Slovenia (2023). The European Union has declared the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment a key goal of its Common Foreign and Security Policy aimed at non-EU countries. The third Gender Action Plan (GAP III) is designed to ensure that the EU’s foreign policy supports the increased participation of women in political, economic, social, and cultural life. The EU’s diplomatic service even has a dedicated Ambassador for Gender and Diversity. One of the principles of the Gender Action Plan is “leading by example”, which aims to establish gender-sensitive and balanced leadership at the highest political and managerial levels within the European Union. 

For example, France announced its transition to a feminist foreign policy in 2019. It sponsors feminist movements and NGOs, launches educational initiatives, including supporting the “She Decides” initiative, and holds conferences on girls’ education in Africa with the participation of the Sahelian Alliance. Also France implements its feminist diplomacy through active participation in the G7. While Canada created the Advisory Council on Gender Equality, France launched a unique initiative in 2019, the Biarritz Partnership for Gender Equality (Biarritz Partnership), with the assistance of President Emmanuel Macron. In addition to the G7 member states, Australia, Chile, India, Senegal, Spain, the United States, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom have joined the partnership. Ukraine received official status as a member of the initiative in September 2020. Among the commitments of the Biarritz Partnership are the fight against HIV/AIDS, improving maternal and child health and improving girls’ education outcomes in Africa, as well as implementing a progressive legislative framework for gender equality based on the organisation’s recommendations. 

This partnership aims to introduce feminist ideas of inclusiveness and compliance with sustainable development goals by improving the legislative framework in the states participating in the initiative, as well as to provide scientific and technical assistance to developing countries. The Biarritz partner countries promote their interests in both multilateral and bilateral formats, an example of the former being the Equality Generation Forum, established through the mediation of France, Mexico and UN Women, which took place in 2021. The forum presented the Coalition Action Plan, as well as the Global Compact for Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action, and announced the programmatic and financial commitments of the participating countries. One of the most important roles in this partnership is played by the Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC), which provides recommendations for improving laws in the field of women’s rights.

Thus, gender equality in diplomacy is not only an ethical imperative, but also a tool for improving the effectiveness of international policy. The inclusion of women in decision-making contributes to more sustainable, inclusive and peaceful societies. Ukraine is demonstrating positive dynamics, but further reforms, strengthening of international cooperation, and a change in public perception of the role of women in diplomacy are needed to achieve true parity.

The increasing role of women in international relations is not just a trend, but a necessity that leads to a better future for all.