Written by Carla Schanz
Diplomacy has long been a male-dominated field, but on 18 November 2024, LSE shone a spotlight on the women reshaping it. Hosted by the Department of International Relations, the Women in Diplomacy event brought together a distinguished panel to explore the challenges faced by women in international relations and the transformative changes they are driving forward.
The panel featured Kirtbir Chahal, Head of Infrastructure Partnerships for Africa and the Middle East at the Department for Business and Trade; Katharina Rauscher, Deputy Ambassador of Austria to the UK; and Nadia Theodore, Canada’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization. The discussion was chaired by Professor Karen E. Smith, a leading expert on women in foreign policymaking.
Among the 70 attendees, just four were men – a stark reminder of the gendered interest in women’s participation in diplomacy. The panellists did not shy away from addressing these disparities. They stressed that women currently account for only one-fifth of the world’s ambassadors and are significantly underrepresented in global negotiations, from peace agreements to climate change. This underrepresentation is not merely a matter of fairness but has real-world consequences.
“If women are not at the table, their needs and perspectives are left out of policy decisions,” Theodore said, underscoring the importance of diverse representation. The panellists agreed that including women and other marginalised groups in diplomacy results in more effective and inclusive policies, encapsulating this idea with the phrase “nothing for us without us”.
Sharing personal stories, the panellists reflected on navigating a field still shaped by rigid, traditional norms. Chahal admitted she had not initially considered diplomacy as a career. “I didn’t feel like I was a suitable candidate,” she said, citing a lack of visible role models and pervasive gender biases that deter many women from entering the field.
Furthermore, Professor Smith stressed the importance of data in driving progress. “If we don’t track these disparities, how can we hold anyone accountable?” she asked.
A recurring theme was the need to redefine what success looks like in diplomacy. The traditional image of diplomats attending late-night dinners and working round-the-clock in remote postings doesn’t suit everyone – nor should it have to. The panellists advocated for structural changes, such as accommodating maternity leave and rethinking rigid schedules, to make diplomacy more accessible to all genders.
The evening highlighted the vital role of women in global decision-making. As Theodore aptly reminded attendees, “This isn’t just a women’s issue – it’s everyone’s.” While the journey toward gender equity in diplomacy is far from over, conversations like these are critical steps forward.
