Empowering Women’s Agency in Diplomacy and Professional Settings

Empowering Women's Agency in Diplomacy and Professional Settings

Asserting personal agency in diplomatic and professional arenas remains a challenge for many women, even those in high-ranking diplomatic roles. This issue was a key focus at the Women in Diplomacy Conference held on February 20th at the University of Nairobi’s Chandaria Auditorium.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs' Foreign Service Academy, in collaboration with Jade Communications Centre for Applied Human Communication and the University of Nairobi’s Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. It brought together professionals to discuss the evolving role of women in diplomacy and the importance of soft skills in navigating global politics.

Addressing the Unspoken Questions

Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, Kenya’s former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as well as former Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, highlighted a recurring issue: women diplomats often approach her privately after trainings with personal and practical concerns.

“I have another question: apart from economic diplomacy, how can I build trust when deployed? Gain credibility? What do I do with my spouse and children? How can I continue as a woman professional after this course?”

These questions point to a deeper need—support beyond technical training, particularly in soft skills and personal development, which are critical to long-term success in diplomatic careers.

The PAPE Initiative

To address this gap, Dr. Ojiambo is leading the Personal Agency in Professional Environments (PAPE) Series in partnership with Jade Communications. The initiative focuses on strengthening individual capacity, communication, and leadership by building on personal strengths, practical skills, and peer support.

Plans are underway to tailor the program to the needs of different diplomatic cadres, with support from the University of Nairobi and the Foreign Service Academy.

Dr. Ojiambo explained that PAPE aims to create a space where women can share experiences, read the room, set clear professional goals, and cultivate influence and credibility in their work environments. The initiative also intends to foster a supportive community that encourages resourcefulness and resilience.

Institutional Support and Commitment

Ambassador Paul Ndung’u, Acting Director-General of the Foreign Service Academy, reaffirmed the Academy's commitment to supporting female diplomats. He emphasised that women are equally effective in diplomacy and bring unique strengths in areas like negotiation, networking, and bridge-building.

Ambassador Prof. Maria Nzomo, Professor Emeritus of International Relations and former Director of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies at UoN, stressed the importance of recognising and utilising personal agency. She noted two key challenges: some individuals are unaware of their agency, while others face structural or contextual barriers that limit its use.

She called for more research into best practices for empowering women diplomats across Africa and advocated for collective efforts to dismantle systemic obstacles.

Looking Ahead

The next steps following the conference include stakeholder dialogues between the Foreign Service Academy, the University of Nairobi, and donor agencies to explore collaboration opportunities in supporting the PAPE program.

The collective message was clear: empowering women in diplomacy is not just about skills—it’s about fostering an environment where women can recognise, embrace, and fully exercise their agency.

“We all have to find space to embrace each other and find the solutions together.”