International Day of Women in Diplomacy

The Health Diplomacy Alliance is proud to commemorate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Established by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/76/269* on 20 June 2022, this day reaffirms the vital contributions of women to diplomacy and multilateral decision‑making. Despite steady progress, significant disparities in representation persist across global and regional institutions:

  • Between 1992 and 2019, women made up only 13% of peace negotiators, 6% of mediators, and 6% of agreement signatories in major peace processes.

  • Since 1947, only 7% of all UN permanent representatives have been women, and as of 2024, women account for just 21% of current UN ambassadors.

  • In Latin America and the Caribbean, the proportion of women serving as ambassadors remains uneven, averaging 25% across the Americas, but as low as 18.8% in South America.

These figures underscore the enduring challenges women face in breaking into the highest levels of diplomacy, especially within multilateral systems.

To mark this occasion, we are pleased to feature reflections and quotes from distinguished women in diplomacy, amplifying their voices and perspectives. Their words offer insight into the realities, achievements, and aspirations of women shaping international policy and peacebuilding efforts. 

For further information, please explore our featured resources :

 
*Supported by: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

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