On 8 May 2025, the International Gender Champions Secretariat, in collaboration with the LSE IDEAS’ Women in Diplomacy (WiD) project and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva, hosted a workshop on Women in Diplomacy. The session brought together senior diplomats and policy experts committed to advancing women’s leadership in diplomacy and foreign policy. Since 2022, the WiD Project has explored the barriers and enablers shaping women’s representation in national and international decision-making spaces. This session built upon its 2024 report, creating space for reflection, peer exchange, and the co-creation of practical solutions.
The discussion, opened by Professor Karen E. Smith and WiD co-founder Marta Kozielska, reflected on the first WiD report and the path towards a new edition to be published in 2026. They shared that key recommendations from their 2024 report included fair recruitment, gender-disaggregated data, inclusive leadership development, and making gender equality non-negotiable in diplomacy.
H.E. Anna Ifkovits Horner of Switzerland, Host Country Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, shared powerful reflections from her career in diplomacy. She recalled the inspiration of early role models, and outlined concrete steps Switzerland has taken to promote gender parity. Thanks to these measures, the number of women at the highest levels in Swiss diplomacy has risen from 13.2% in 2014 to 34.8% in 2024.
Many Geneva-based Gender Champions also shared their journeys as women leaders—highlighting the importance of visibility, institutional support, and solidarity. They also stressed the need for networking, increasing the percentage of women diplomats, and continuing to push for more representation.
We thank all participants and facilitators for a truly inspiring session—and invite you to stay connected as the WiD project continues consultations and discussions across other IGC hubs. Learn more about their work on Women in Diplomacy here.