TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Women’s contributions to diplomacy over the past few centuries have been significant and cannot be overlooked.
Ahead of the U.N.’s International Day for Women in Diplomacy, which is on June 24, Ambassador Candice Pitts of Belize, Ambassador Andrea Bowman of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Ambassador Anjanette Kattil of the Marshall Islands sat with Taiwan News to share their insights and experiences as female diplomats.
The ambassadors all agreed the first notions of diplomacy were learned from their families. Pitts said her mother was her biggest role model and that she learned to be resilient and patient just by observing her navigate life.
“I have always said that at the core of diplomacy is relationships,” Pitts said. No relationship can succeed without understanding, she added.
Diplomacy starts at home
Pitts said empathetic relationships are evident in Taiwan’s ties with its diplomatic allies. We can understand Taiwan’s culture and the people while our countries strive for Taiwanese to know us better, she said.
Bowman highlighted the importance of empathy, saying, “Once you can understand what they feel, you start invaluable relationships, which are necessary for diplomacy.”
She looks up to her parents, who came from humble beginnings. “They were very much my principal role models in terms of what needs to be done,” she said.
Bowman also noted Taiwan’s empathetic style of diplomacy, pointing out that its projects in allied countries are all “people-centered projects.”
Kattil said she was first and foremost inspired by her parents and learned to be resilient and courageous. Professionally, the Marshallese ambassador said she looked up to her nation’s past leaders and founding forefathers. The Marshall Islands had to fight for independence, which took bravery and determination, she said.
Making progress
Pitts said the role and impact of women in diplomacy have transformed from no participation to substantial representation and leadership.
“This is in part because some of our countries have been expending efforts towards gender parity,” she said.
In Belize’s case, at least 50% or more of its ambassadors are women due to a government mandate that guarantees more female representation in leadership, she said.
Pitts said statistics have shown that when women are involved in negotiations or peace talks the beneficial results last longer.
“This is a testament to the kind of collaborative and inclusive approach that women often take,” she said, which emphasizes empathy, humanness, and self-respect.
Bowman also said there is an increase of women in diplomacy from a representational point of view but was unsure of the impacts of this change. “As to what extent this means with regard to policy and a women’s perspective makes a difference, I really can’t speak to that with any sort of evidence.”
Kattil said she noticed an increase of women in diplomacy. Countries are realizing the importance of the contribution of women and their perspectives, she said, adding that it is “a symbol of hope” to see such positive changes.
Overcoming challenges
Pitts said the most difficult aspect of being a woman diplomat was being “emotionally and situationally strategic” when met with biases from others. This means that one cannot show they are personally affected by these biased interactions, she explained.
However, Pitts said she would always ensure the offending party understood she represents a sovereign “that ought to be afforded the requisite respect and dignity in this community of nations.”
“I believe it is imperative that women are courageously decisive and empathic leaders who are situationally award and culturally and contextually intelligent,” she added.
Bowman said that in these situations, “You just stand your ground.” These interactions are prejudiced, she said, but once you realize what is happening, just wait rather than get upset.
Kattil said women face more challenges than men.
“As women, there are cultural norms that we need to be more aware of, in how we speak, how we move, because it might be taken the wrong way,” she said.
The ambassador said men might see her as a young woman and decide she cannot be taken seriously even before talking to her. Thus, Kattil said she had to work harder “to convince and show that I know what I am talking about.”
Long road ahead
Pitts said that more women in diplomacy creates an encouraging environment for future generations of diplomats. More representation will “inspire and encourage” other female diplomats to lead and influence others, she said.
Bowman said there is hope in the future but “we do have a great leap to do.” There is much more awareness of gender disparity but women have to empower themselves, she said. The ambassador added that empowerment must come from within and women must recognize their strengths.
“Once you have a feminist perspective, all society is in a much better position,” she said.
Kattil said she felt optimistic about seeing more women in diplomacy. She said that women in this field are vital for sustainable development and peace and prosperity.
“If we continue to see this trend continue, the future is going to be bright.”
