International Day of Women in Diplomacy
On June 24, since 2022, we commemorate the International Day of Women in diplomacy. At the United Nations General Assembly’s 76th session, the General Assembly by consensus declared the 24th of June each year as the International Day of Women in diplomacy, reaffirming that the participation of women, on an equal basis with men, in decision – making at all levels is essential to the achievement of sustainable development, peace and democracy. This day aims to make women’s leadership more visible, recognise the achievements of women in the diplomatic sphere and highlight the path still required to achieve full and equal participation of women in all areas of decision – making and political life.
Women have been playing a crucial role in the United Nations since the UN Charter was drafted and signed in 1945. Historically, the representation of women in diplomacy has been minimal. For centuries, women were banned from public offices such as diplomats. Since the early 1920s the legal barriers limiting women’s choices started to be lifted up. However, the social norms and prejudice have remained far longer and only four of the 850 delegates who signed the Charter of the United Nations in 1945 were women.
Since then, there has been an increase in women’s representation in bilateral diplomacy and at the United Nations. One of the greatest achievements of the United Nations was the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, initiated by a woman, Eleanor Roosevelt. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized the equal rights of men and women as fundamental human rights and the participation of women in the maintenance of peace.
When women are represented in legislative bodies, it enhances the effectiveness of governance and ensures that a wider range of perspectives and experiences are considered in decision – making process. This inclusivity not only reflects the diversity of the population, but also leads to the development of more informed policies that address the needs of all citizens.
The International Day of Women in diplomacy serves as an important reminder of the improvements that have been made so far and the work that remains to guarantee that women have equal opportunities to lead and contribute to the field of diplomacy.
Leyli Yusupova,
the 2nd year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan