The Crucial Contributions of Women in Diplomacy

Rup Narayan Das

In recognition of the role of woman in diplomacy and in order to emphasise the imperatives for greater representation and their participation in diplomacy at various levels, the United Nations has declared June 24 as "International Day of Women in Diplomacy". The resolution in this regard reiterates that the participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision making, is essential to the achievement of sustainable development, peace and democracy. The resolution also draws attention to persistent under- representation of women in senior diplomatic positions, pinpoint the challenges that woman in diplomacy face, and discuss barriers that still need to be removed. The resolution further notes that lack of parity in women's representation in foreign policy is, in fact, detrimental to peace.

Biologically, psychologically, and emotionally, women are different from men. The very instinct of child bearing and child rearing, enables them to be more caring, sensitive, and understanding of human misery and suffering.  Historically, women and children have been the worst sufferers in war and conflict. They are the hapless victims of such man made tragedies of humongous proportions. What is happening in Ukraine and the Middle East today bears out this fact.

If a picture can tell a thousand words, the Pulitzer award winning photograph of the victim of the atom bomb attack in 1975- a girl running naked in the Saigon city, is a poignant reminder of nuclear holocaust, and, such tragedies continue to occur across the world. In India, in the Line of Control, innocent civilians including women and children, fall victims to terrorist attacks.

 Various Facets of Diplomacy

The role of a diplomat encompasses various responsibilities. At its core, it involves advocating for and safeguarding the interests of one's country and its citizens. Additionally, diplomats engage in negotiations with other nations or multilateral organisations to pursue objectives assigned by the political leadership, whether it be the Prime Minister or the External Affairs Minister.

A diplomat can either be a member of the Civil Services or the Foreign Service in particular, or he or she can be a Member of Parliament, Minister, or Presiding Officer of the legislature or Parliament.

The dividing line between politics and diplomacy is wafer-thin. It would be appropriate to include successful women politicians in the category of diplomats.  There exists a plethora of instances where women politicians have made significant contributions akin to statesmen and diplomats, championing justice and alleviating human suffering. Figures such as Ms Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, Ms Golda Meir of Israel, and closer to South Asia, the late Indira Gandhi, Ms Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, and Ms Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, have left indelible marks on human development. Notably, Ms Bandaranaike holds the distinction of being the world's first female Prime Minister. Furthermore, the efforts of former Taiwanese President Ms Tsai Ing-wen in combatting COVID-19 warrant acknowledgment. Likewise, the roles of US Vice-President Ms Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Ms Hillary Clinton, and Ms Madam Albright, the pioneering woman to hold the position of US Secretary of State, along with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ms Nancy Pelosi, are notable examples of women who have contributed to the diplomatic arena in distinctive ways.

Women's Stature in Indian Tradition and Spirituality

Throughout Indian civilisation, women have occupied exalted positions much before the term "diplomacy" was coined and came into vogue. Goddesses such as Durga and Kali are esteemed as champions of righteousness and symbols of justice and equity. It is noteworthy that the notion of women's empowerment finds embodiment in our deities, surpassing representations found in other religious traditions. For instance, Goddess Saraswati embodies knowledge, while Goddess Lakshmi symbolises wealth, elucidating the integral roles women play in the holistic and balanced development of humanity, as depicted in our scriptures. This represents a significant contribution of Hindu civilisation to the global discourse on women's empowerment, deserving wider acknowledgment, including in the western world. Furthermore, women exhibit a natural resilience and endurance in the face of adversity, a trait exemplified throughout our cultural narratives. Notably, in the narrative of Lord Rama's reign, while he epitomised good governance, his consort Sita made substantial contributions to the establishment of an ideal societal order, known as "Rama Rajya."

Some Eminent Woman Ministers and Presiding Officers

Numerous distinguished women in India have made substantial contributions to diplomacy and alleviating human suffering. Among them, the late Sushma Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs, holds a prominent place in history for her notable achievements. Notably, her utilisation of 'twitter diplomacy' garnered international recognition, earning her a position among the 15 global thinkers by the prestigious Foreign Policy magazine in 2016. One such instance of her impactful use of social media was when she resolved the problems faced by thousands of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia facing food crisis due to job losses.

Additionally, in the realm of governance, the Indian Parliament has so far had atleast three women as Presiding Officer, bearing testament t the fact that Indian women have contributed significantly in strenthening the institution. Noteworthy figures include Ms Meira Kumar, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Ms Najma Heptullah, former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Ms Sumitra Mahajan, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Ms Kumar, drawing from her background as a former diplomat, infused new energy into parliamentary diplomacy. Smt Heptullah, during her extensive tenure as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, not only championed India's interests within the IPU but also advocated for global causes pertaining to development and democracy, thereby enhancing India's standing on the international stage.

 Smt Sumitra Mahajan, who was the speaker of Lok Sabha, not only led a number of goodwill parliamentary dele-gations abroad, but also hosted a number of visiting Parliamentary delegations visiting India; and participated effectively in multilateral parliamentary fora like the IPU and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). She also organised a number of international events such as the South Asia Speaker's Summit on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along with IPU in Indore in February 2017. 

Women parliamentarians globally have made significant contributions to raising awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have actively advocated for the implementation of these objectives within their respective governments.

Notable Indian Female Career Diplomats

The Indian Foreign Service has nurtured a cadre of exceptional diplomats whose contributions resonate throughout the annals of diplomatic history. These diplomats have not only extended compassionate assistance to Indians facing adversity abroad but have also fearlessly and effectively advocated for India's interests on the global stage, including within the United Nations.

Among the distinguished figures within this cohort is Ms Chokila Iyer, who, as a member of the 1964 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, ascended to the prestigious position of Foreign Secretary, thereby reflecting India's commitment to meritocracy and gender equality. Similarly, Ms Nirupama Menon Rao stands out as India's first female Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs and the first woman High Commissioner from India to Sri Lanka. Her subsequent tenure as Foreign Secretary (2009-2011) and Ambassador to the United Nations (2011-2013) further underscored the calibre of Indian women diplomats.

Ms Sujata Singh's tenure as Foreign Secretary (2013-2015) and her prior service as India's ambassador to Germany exemplify the continued advancement of women within India's diplomatic ranks. Notably, Indian women diplomats have made impactful interventions at the United Nations, such as Ms Arundhati Ghosh's resolute stance against the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 1996, affirming India's principled position on nuclear disarmament.

Furthermore, Indian women diplomats have held pivotal ambassadorial roles in various countries, exemplified by Ms Meera Shankar's tenure as India's ambassador to the USA (2007-2011) and Ms Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa's service as India's ambassador to Japan. These examples, though not exhaustive, highlight the substantive contributions of Indian women diplomats to global diplomacy.

Moreover, women Foreign Service officers routinely lead key divisions within the Ministry of External Affairs and serve in various diplomatic missions worldwide, further underscoring India's commitment to fostering gender-inclusive leadership in its diplomatic endeavours.

In summary, it can be asserted that women, by virtue of their inherent cognitive tendencies, are well-suited for the field of diplomacy, possessing a nuanced understanding of human circumstances and women's concerns. Indian women, across diverse roles, have made substantial contributions to diplomacy, not only advancing India's interests but also furthering the broader objectives of democracy and development.

(The author is a former Senior Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research. Feedback on

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Views expressed are personal.