Institut de diplomatie publique operates as a multi-stakeholder partnership in public diplomacy. The involvement of the female gender in public diplomacy and decision-making processes is of great concern and importance to the Institute. The Institute addresses this through public diplomacy, developing new approaches in communicating by bringing together experts with decision-makers to improve and enable public understanding of this important subject. Hence this paper is to elaborate on ways to actualize the involvement of women, especially from least developed countries in public diplomacy.
Women are a unique breed of humans and do not only balance the weight on the scale; they are the scale and as such, play a crucial role everywhere including diplomacy and foreign policy negotiation. According to Michele (2019), an international study carried out demonstrated that when the economy and political organization of a society changes, women are the first to take the lead in ensuring their families align with new realities and challenges. Women give their support in society from their various little corners to ensure stability, progress, and development; this “little corner” stems from all aspects of life including agriculture, entrepreneurship, nutrition, healthcare, education, etc.
Women are key factors in sustainable development for an improved quality of life for their families. Women have historically been underrepresented, despite their significant contributions to society.
The general significance of the woman is not far-fetched but yet in major sectors of the economy, in major positions of leadership and corridors of power requiring major decisions, the woman is missing, not involved, underrepresented, or simply relegated to the side. Research by MsKinsey Global Institute (MGI) states that gender inequality is a limiting factor to global economic growth. It is believed that gender inequality is beyond a mere social issue, it is more economically tilted. The deprivation of women in any society is a waste of resources, expertise, gifts, and potential which no matter how minor can contribute to achieving more for any Nation.
The woman’s level of societal contribution is largely dependent on her intellectual capacity. Education is a prerequisite for societal transformation and women should be inclusive. Yes, in diplomacy and decision-making processes, the woman has no place at the table and if at all you find them, they are the minorities. Why is that? Because of her skills, her level of reasoning is believed not to match up with expectations and demands for such magnitude of intelligence. There is so much beclouding the anticipations and aspirations of this special specie called the woman.
The Institut De Diplomatie is a platform that amplifies the voices of all concerned irrespective of gender. We can as an Institute deliberately take up the challenge of equipping the female gender with a focus on women from Under-developed Nations, pair them up with outstanding women of the institute for coaching and mentoring purpose to provide direction in desired areas of expertise or in line with what the institute stands for and also create an online platform for educating women across the globe with the goal of:
1. Building up women professionals and increasing the involvement of women in negotiations, politics, and societal patronage.
2. Providing a system that supports (emotionally, intellectually, physically, mentally, and otherwise) female gender participation irrespective of likely setbacks
3. Transforming limiting mindset with built-up confidence to face the future and contribute their best in making the world a better place.
4. Creating a borderless classroom for teaching negotiation skills concerning diplomacy and helping to understand foreign policies.
5. Breaking the digital divide, bridging the gaps for women around the world (women have brains too and can learn)
The objective of the listed five points plan is to drive skills upgrade in public diplomacy for the female gender in least-developed countries. When the above points in addition to more are considered, female representation at international frontiers will be accelerated.
Although women are often underrepresented within discussions in the international arena where states discuss common issues, our research has demonstrated the transformative power of women's participation in global discussions. Accordingly, the Institute actively creates spaces for female experts to participate in public diplomacy activities, such as conferences, seminars, and workshops. For example, to promote women's participation, the Institute creates a supportive environment that facilitates their engagement in the UNTOC review mechanism. This is achieved by providing opportunities for women to share their experiences and perspectives on the impact of organized crime on their lives.
I would like to appreciate UNOV/UNODC for their strategy for gender equality and women empowerment for 2022-2026. Your kind gesture was a nod for this positive response and together with the Institut de diplomatie publique, we can make the world a better place for the female gender to live peacefully.
I am an African woman and I am willing to play my role in ensuring no girl/woman is left behind in my continent.
Nissi Ikenna-Amadi (Ph.D)