The Head of the IGAD Mission to Uganda, Ms Joselyn Bigirwa, has called for greater efforts to promote women into leadership positions, warning that despite progress in gender equality, women remain underrepresented in diplomacy, peace negotiations and global decision-making.
Delivering the keynote address at the Women in Diplomacy and Multilateralism dialogue in Kampala, Bigirwa said women continue to face structural barriers that prevent many from advancing to senior leadership positions.
‘Women enter institutions in significant numbers, but many do not make it to the highest levels. The challenge before us is no longer only how we recruit women, but how we retain them and help them rise through leadership ranks,’ she said.
The event, organised by Inside Diplomacy in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mission in Uganda, brought together diplomats, government officials, representatives of international organisations and young professionals to discuss women’s leadership in diplomacy, peacebuilding and multilateral cooperation.
Bigirwa noted that while women have made significant gains across governance and public service, diplomacy remains largely dominated by men, particularly in senior leadership positions and peace negotiations.
Citing global figures, she said women account for only about 22 percent of ambassadors and permanent representatives worldwide, underscoring the slow pace of progress.
‘The institutions of governance, diplomacy and international cooperation remain largely male-dominated spaces. Every opportunity for women’s leadership is therefore not just a personal achievement but a collective advancement for gender equality,’ she said.
She urged governments, international organisations and development partners to move beyond symbolic commitments and create systems that support women throughout their professional journeys.
Bigirwa described mentorship as one of the most powerful but often overlooked tools for advancing women’s leadership.
Drawing from her own professional journey, she credited mentorship and exposure to leadership spaces for helping prepare her for regional diplomacy and encouraged experienced leaders to invest in the next generation.
She also challenged policymakers to recognise that women do not experience barriers in the same way. During a panel discussion, Ms Edith Namutebi Nsubuga, Uganda’s Head of Regional Peace and Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said women continue to face challenges accessing influential decision-making spaces despite their significant contributions to peacebuilding efforts.
Nsubuga pointed to the role women have historically played in advancing peace processes, citing Liberia’s women’s movement as a powerful example of grassroots leadership that helped bring an end to conflict.
‘Women are doing a lot of the work at the community level, but we still need greater representation in formal mediation and negotiation spaces,’ she added. Ambassador Fatima Fernandez, Venezuela’s envoy to Uganda, argued that women bring unique perspectives to diplomacy because of their lived experiences and close connection to communities.
“Women diplomats frequently stand at the intersection between institutions and communities, between national priorities and human needs. Their perspective is valuable because it reminds us that behind every negotiation and every agreement, there are people whose lives will be affected,” she explained.
Fernandez also called for stronger support systems for women professionals, saying success is often built on networks of solidarity and mentorship. ‘Too often societies encourage competition when what many women need are support networks, mentorship and opportunities to grow,’ she said.
Ms Bisharo Ali Hussein, a migration and gender expert, said meaningful participation goes beyond simply ensuring women are present in meetings. ‘It is about influence, accountability and power. Women must not only be in the room; they must be actively shaping decisions, policies and outcomes,’ she said.
Drawing from her experience working in Somalia, Kenya, Spain and the Netherlands, Hussein said the barriers facing women differ across societies, but unequal access to leadership opportunities remains a common challenge.
She urged young women to pursue leadership opportunities with confidence. ‘You do not need permission to sit at the table. You have the qualifications, the experience and the intellect. Own your power,’ she said.
According to Patience Naamanya, founder of Inside Diplomacy, the forum was organised to celebrate the achievements of women in diplomacy while inspiring young people to pursue careers in international affairs.
Naamanya said the youth-led organisation works with students and young professionals, connecting them with diplomats, foreign missions and international organisations through practical engagement programmes.
She explained, ‘Their stories are often under-documented and under-celebrated, yet they continue to shape regional and global diplomacy. We hope today’s dialogue inspires more young women to take their place at decision-making tables.’
She added that the organisation hopes the forum will become an annual platform for recognising women leaders and expanding opportunities for young women interested in diplomacy, international relations and global governance.