June 24th marks the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. The day was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize and celebrate women’s achievements in the diplomatic sphere and international relations, to make their leadership more visible as well as to highlight the indispensable contributions of women in global diplomacy and inspire a new generation of female diplomats and leaders.
Thus, countries across the globe celebrate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy in June 24th with the aim to honor the invaluable contributions of women diplomats and inspire young girls.
Coming to the Ethiopian context, the country has a long-standing tradition of diplomatic relations dating back to the 4th century during the reign of King Ezana when King Ezana established diplomatic ties with the Roman Empire, marking Ethiopia’s first recorded foreign relations. Before Common Era, Queen of Sheba also established ties with King Solomon of Jerusalem.
However, as historical chronicles indicated, the modern diplomatic foreign relations of Ethiopia began during the reign of Emperor Menelik II in 1907. On the wake of the victory of Adwa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministerial systems were introduced as well. Since that time, Ethiopia’s diplomatic relations have been growing from time to time in multilateral areas.
The involvement of Ethiopian women in the diplomacy and senior leadership positions has been making significant strides. From serving as diplomats and ambassadors to holding senior leadership positions in the government’s levels of power, Ethiopian women can serve in positions that were once dominated and reserved for men including international diplomacy and foreign policy.
In turn, despite the long attached patriarchal norms as well as male dominated social and cultural values that favor men, several women can break the glass ceiling, demonstrate their unique potential, make names for themselves, and inspire young girls to pursue careers in diplomacy.
Among others, the first senior career ambassador Amb. Yodit Imru, who started working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1953, in the department of International Relations and worked from Director General to Vice Minister. Also, Ambassador Kongit Sinegiorgis, the longest serving career ambassador in the Ethiopian diplomatic history and even in Africa contributed immensely to Ethiopia and Africa as well.
Likewise, Empresses Taytu Bitul, who was incomparable diplomat, an influential political figure and a stateswoman, and President Sahle-Work Zewde, a diplomat and politician who is also the first woman to hold office as President of Ethiopia since 2018 are also the other testimonies that show Ethiopian women active involvement in the spheres of diplomacy.
Currently, a number of Ethiopian women are taking part in the various positions, climbing in the ladder of leadership including at the ministerial levels, in the field of diplomacy, within the ranks of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) among others. Confronting and disproving the stereotype, they are making differences, not to mention the impressive results they have registered.
According to the UN, women bring immense benefits to diplomacy. Their leadership styles, expertise and priorities broaden the scope of issues under consideration and the quality of outcomes. Additionally, women always give priority to nurturing lasting peace, driving positive change and development. They are also active actors in minimizing corruption, cementing agreements and reinforcing international relations.
In this regard, it is vital to increase women’s representation at all streams and bring more women to the table, so that, build a more inclusive and equitable world.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2024
