Women who run the world
Literally, as female ambassadors and diplomats who represent their countries
Published Mar 22, 2023 08:29 am
Featured image: SŒURETRE French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz (middle) with talk show guests, from left, MJ Lamoste, Diane Bartolome, Daisy Omega, Carol RH Malasig, Tetyana, and Olena Sabado
The Philippines has a rich history of women’s participation in diplomacy. In fact, the country’s first female ambassador, Trinidad F. Legarda, was appointed in 1958 as the Philippine ambassador to what was then South Vietnam. At the time, the foreign service was a male-dominated field all over the world, but Legarda’s example ended up inspiring many Filipino women to pursue a career in diplomacy.
Nowadays, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is known for being one of the most gender-balanced agencies. By the end of 2022, 58.26 percent of the DFA’s workforce are women. Half of middle management are also female and top management is almost at 40 percent.
“I don’t think there’s any iota of discrimination between the men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It’s a gender-neutral institution,” says DFA undersecretary Theresa Lazaro when asked if there were any struggles in her career brought about by her sex.
OMAN AT THE HELM Usec. Theresa Lazaro heads the Department of Foreign Affairs' Office of Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs
Currently the highest-ranking female in Philippine diplomacy, Lazaro heads the office for bilateral relations and ASEAN affairs, where most of the country’s foreign policies are crafted.
“I feel proud whenever we have our mostly-female delegations in countries where diplomacy is still dominated by men,” she adds. “In diplomacy, especially in the DFA, it really is about how you deliver the work—everybody’s equal.”
Lazaro also shared that the DFA puts a lot of trust in its people, regardless of their sex or gender. “Women can be assigned in war-torn countries,” she elaborates. “Our female diplomats also find themselves, along with the men, providing assistance to nationals in calamity-stricken areas.”
The current spokesperson, Amb. Ma. Teresita Daza, was previously ambassador to India. Currently, there are 23 Filipino ambassadors assigned abroad who are female and 17 more are heading consulates or acting as either chargé d’affaires. Last year, the President also appointed our first female envoy to Japan—Amb. Mylene Garcia-Albano.
It’s great to be a female diplomat nowadays, especially in the Philippines, as diplomacy moves on to a more feminist space. Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg, who has been in Manila since 2021, notes that female ambassadors assigned to the Philippines are still a minority, but that’s not always a disadvantage. “We form a small but forceful group of women who drive things forward,” she says. “Women ambassadors offer different perspectives on issues and can push for 50-50 representation.”
Being a minority also helps them get noticed and gives them more access to other women in power and there are many in the Philippines. “The Philippines is doing pretty well in gender equality. Many females are high ranking government officials, CEOs, and leaders,” observes Thurnborg. Quoting former foreign affairs secretary Delia Albert, the Swedish envoy shares that in the Philippines, it’s not about men versus women but women who have and women who have not.
GERMANY'S WOMAN IN MANILA Amb. Anke Reiffenstuel talks about Germany's Feminist Foreign Policy (Photo from German Embassy)
With Germany recently launching its Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP), German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel explains why empowering women in diplomacy benefits everyone. “Studies have shown that gender equality leads to more development and economic growth,” she says.
“Thus, I am excited to implement our FFP here in the Philippines. It’s not a foreign policy ‘by women for women’. It aims to involve all sections of society.”
Women diplomats have a huge role to play and for Reiffenstuel, that includes serving as role models and inspiration for young women and girls, “demonstrating that your gender does not determine what you can or cannot do in life.”
Another thing top female diplomats agree on is the career’s relevance in society today and how it will definitely continue into the future. “Relations between countries are based on the active work and commitment of people,” says Amb. Reiffenstuel. “This is the core work of diplomats. Diplomacy and thus diplomats will remain fundamental for conducting international relations and resolving conflicts peacefully.”
Amb. Thunborg, meanwhile, adds that despite technology improving connectivity and information sharing, nothing beats having an official representative on the ground to build relations. “Having access and being the eyes and ears of one’s country is important. We are able to make contacts and enhance relationships, public-private partnerships,” she says.
“The work—it sounds cliché—but it boils down to the benefit of the Philippines and the Filipino people. When we discuss things with foreign countries, it is the whole gamut of issues and pushing for our national interest,” says Usec. Lazaro, adding that the work of diplomats affects the lives of all Filipinos, including that of the next generations as well.
SWEDISH ENVOY Amb. Annika Thunborg says the Philippines is doing well when it comes to the fight for gender equality (Photo from Swedish Embassy)
Speakers included para-athlete Daisy Omega, Tagpi-Tagpi founder MJ Lamoste, Diane Bartolome from the Makati Fire Department, and Ukrainians in the Philippines Olena Sabado and Tetyana, a student activist who pushes for awareness about the war happening in her country. This writer, was also invited to talk about advocating for choice and autonomy, especially the choice to be childfree, in the Philippines.
French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz shared at the event that it was scientifically proven that countries where women were empowered proved more successful, adding that “now more than ever, we are doing our utmost efforts in making sure we value those differences, which are so important for us to commit to a united, all-embracing society.”
France Volontaires is the the French platform for international volunteering and exchange, working with the French Foreign Ministry. “We are proud to say today that we are more than gender balanced with Filipino volunteers. Seventy percent of Filipino volunteers selected to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics are a combination of men, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They’re all going to go to Paris and they will be representing this country in its diversity,” said Amb. Boccoz.
The Philippines has a rich history of women’s participation in diplomacy. In fact, the country’s first female ambassador, Trinidad F. Legarda, was appointed in 1958 as the Philippine ambassador to what was then South Vietnam. At the time, the foreign service was a male-dominated field all over the world, but Legarda’s example ended up inspiring many Filipino women to pursue a career in diplomacy.
Nowadays, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is known for being one of the most gender-balanced agencies. By the end of 2022, 58.26 percent of the DFA’s workforce are women. Half of middle management are also female and top management is almost at 40 percent.
“I don’t think there’s any iota of discrimination between the men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It’s a gender-neutral institution,” says DFA undersecretary Theresa Lazaro when asked if there were any struggles in her career brought about by her sex.
Currently the highest-ranking female in Philippine diplomacy, Lazaro heads the office for bilateral relations and ASEAN affairs, where most of the country’s foreign policies are crafted.
“I feel proud whenever we have our mostly-female delegations in countries where diplomacy is still dominated by men,” she adds. “In diplomacy, especially in the DFA, it really is about how you deliver the work—everybody’s equal.”
Lazaro also shared that the DFA puts a lot of trust in its people, regardless of their sex or gender. “Women can be assigned in war-torn countries,” she elaborates. “Our female diplomats also find themselves, along with the men, providing assistance to nationals in calamity-stricken areas.”
The current spokesperson, Amb. Ma. Teresita Daza, was previously ambassador to India. Currently, there are 23 Filipino ambassadors assigned abroad who are female and 17 more are heading consulates or acting as either chargé d’affaires. Last year, the President also appointed our first female envoy to Japan—Amb. Mylene Garcia-Albano.
It’s great to be a female diplomat nowadays, especially in the Philippines, as diplomacy moves on to a more feminist space. Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg, who has been in Manila since 2021, notes that female ambassadors assigned to the Philippines are still a minority, but that’s not always a disadvantage. “We form a small but forceful group of women who drive things forward,” she says. “Women ambassadors offer different perspectives on issues and can push for 50-50 representation.”
Being a minority also helps them get noticed and gives them more access to other women in power and there are many in the Philippines. “The Philippines is doing pretty well in gender equality. Many females are high ranking government officials, CEOs, and leaders,” observes Thurnborg. Quoting former foreign affairs secretary Delia Albert, the Swedish envoy shares that in the Philippines, it’s not about men versus women but women who have and women who have not.
With Germany recently launching its Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP), German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel explains why empowering women in diplomacy benefits everyone. “Studies have shown that gender equality leads to more development and economic growth,” she says.
“Thus, I am excited to implement our FFP here in the Philippines. It’s not a foreign policy ‘by women for women’. It aims to involve all sections of society.”
Women diplomats have a huge role to play and for Reiffenstuel, that includes serving as role models and inspiration for young women and girls, “demonstrating that your gender does not determine what you can or cannot do in life.”
Another thing top female diplomats agree on is the career’s relevance in society today and how it will definitely continue into the future. “Relations between countries are based on the active work and commitment of people,” says Amb. Reiffenstuel. “This is the core work of diplomats. Diplomacy and thus diplomats will remain fundamental for conducting international relations and resolving conflicts peacefully.”
Amb. Thunborg, meanwhile, adds that despite technology improving connectivity and information sharing, nothing beats having an official representative on the ground to build relations. “Having access and being the eyes and ears of one’s country is important. We are able to make contacts and enhance relationships, public-private partnerships,” she says.
“The work—it sounds cliché—but it boils down to the benefit of the Philippines and the Filipino people. When we discuss things with foreign countries, it is the whole gamut of issues and pushing for our national interest,” says Usec. Lazaro, adding that the work of diplomats affects the lives of all Filipinos, including that of the next generations as well.
France hosts talk show on Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, France Volontaires and the French Embassy hosted a talk show at the Alliance Française de Manille. Enitled “Sœurette: A Talk Show on Embracing Equity,” it was a lively discussion on the empowered Filipina and what we could all do to ensure more women get to enjoy such empowerment.Speakers included para-athlete Daisy Omega, Tagpi-Tagpi founder MJ Lamoste, Diane Bartolome from the Makati Fire Department, and Ukrainians in the Philippines Olena Sabado and Tetyana, a student activist who pushes for awareness about the war happening in her country. This writer, was also invited to talk about advocating for choice and autonomy, especially the choice to be childfree, in the Philippines.
French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz shared at the event that it was scientifically proven that countries where women were empowered proved more successful, adding that “now more than ever, we are doing our utmost efforts in making sure we value those differences, which are so important for us to commit to a united, all-embracing society.”
France Volontaires is the the French platform for international volunteering and exchange, working with the French Foreign Ministry. “We are proud to say today that we are more than gender balanced with Filipino volunteers. Seventy percent of Filipino volunteers selected to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics are a combination of men, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They’re all going to go to Paris and they will be representing this country in its diversity,” said Amb. Boccoz.