Gender and Diplomacy

This volume provides a detailed discussion of the role of women in diplomacy and a global narrative of their current and historical role within it.

The last century has seen the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs) experience seismic shifts in their policies concerning the entry, role and agency of women within their institutional make-up. Despite these changes, and the promise that true gender equality offers to the diplomatic craft, the role of women in the diplomatic sphere continues to remain overlooked, and placed on the fringes of diplomatic scholarship. This volume brings together established scholars and experienced diplomatic practitioners in an attempt to unveil the story of women in diplomacy, in a context which is historical, theoretical and empirical. In line with feminist critical thought, the objective of this volume is to theorize and empirically demonstrate the understanding of diplomacy as a gendered practice and study. The aims of are three-fold: 1) expose and confront the gender of diplomacy; 2) shed light on the historical involvement of women in diplomatic practice in spite of systemic barriers and restrictions, with a focus on critical junctures of diplomatic institutional formation and the diplomatic entitlements which were created for women at these junctures; 3) examine the current state of women in diplomacy and evaluate the rate of progress towards a gender-even playing field on the basis thereof.

This book will be of much interest to students of diplomacy studies, gender studies, foreign policy and international relations.

Edited by:   Jennifer A. Cassidy (University of Oxford UK)
Imprint:   Routledge
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 235mm,  Width: 159mm, 
Weight:   440g
ISBN:   9780367138264
ISBN 10:   0367138263
Series:   Routledge New Diplomacy Studies
Pages:   220
Publication Date:   January 2019
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Further / Higher Education ,  A / AS level
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Jennifer Cassidy is a Doctoral Candidate in International Development at the University of Oxford, UK

'Drawing on the substantial expertise and experience of the authors, this volume of essays provides a rigorous analysis of the gendered nature of diplomacy. The common themes that emerge in the essays, coupled with the concrete recommendations put forward by the authors, offer fertile ground from which academics and policy makers can analyse and improve women's empowerment in the field of diplomacy.' -- From the foreword by Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland 'This engaging volume discusses how women are changing the content of foreign policy, the practice of diplomacy and the nature of international leadership. In addition to providing valuable research material, this book should be an inspiration both for women hammering at glass ceilings and for foreign ministries and multilateral institutions grappling with the barriers to gender equality.' -- Kate Jones, University of Oxford, UK 'This is a superb series of studies on gender and diplomacy. In its treatment of its subject it raises important questions about what constitutes effective diplomacy in this challenging age. At a time when our profession matters more than ever, it is an important and thought-provoking reading for practitioners and students of international affairs alike.' -- Niall Burgess, Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 'Gender and Diplomacy offers a fascinating and long overdue analysis of the role of gender in diplomacy. Combining scholarly inquiry and practitioner insight, the book sets new standards for understanding the historical and institutional challenges of ensuring a gender-even playing field in diplomacy.' -- Corneliu Bjola, University of Oxford, UK