OSF Highlights the Crucial Role of Women in Diplomacy in the WPS Agenda [Video]

The elections of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico’s first female President and Halla Tomasdottir as Iceland’s second female President signal a rising tide of women’s leadership in diplomacy worldwide. This shift is crucial, as research consistently shows that gender-balanced teams make better decisions, leading to more sustainable and inclusive outcomes.

Women’s leadership styles often emphasize inclusivity and collaboration, bringing unique perspectives and experiences to address today’s multifaceted global challenges. However, women remain significantly underrepresented in diplomatic and ambassadorial roles – in 2023, only 20.54% of all ambassadors and permanent representatives worldwide were women. Including women in diplomacy is, therefore, a strategic imperative for effective global governance.

Furthermore, research consistently demonstrates that gender-balanced teams make better decisions, leading to more sustainable and inclusive outcomes. For instance, when women participate in peace negotiations, the likelihood of reaching an agreement increases, and peace agreements are 35% more likely to endure for at least 15 …