First meeting of Polish Women in Diplomacy Network

The inauguration was attended by more than 50 female representatives of the Polish foreign service, both from the MFA's headquarters and diplomatic missions. Grażyna Bernatowicz, Undersecretary of State at the MFA in 2000-2003 and 2007-2013 and former Polish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and the Czech Republic, was the guest of honour.

The Polish Women in Diplomacy Network is part of the Women Diplomats Network (WEDIN) in the EU. The latter brings together networks of female diplomats from member states of the European Union, foreign ministries, and the European External Action Service.

The WEDIN aims to exchange experience, work out mechanisms supporting and facilitating the development of women's careers, and guaranteeing equal treatment in diplomacy.

During its initial meeting, the Network determined its functioning, structure, and action plan for the next twelve months.

The Polish Women in Diplomacy Network will focus on:

- sharing information, promoting important topics for women and their professional careers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, devising solutions, and ensuring support to female diplomats in balancing their professional and private life;

- supporting professional growth of women in diplomacy, promoting gender equality and non-discrimination;

- promoting gender equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination, as well as raising awareness in this respect, including about causes and results of breach of the equal treatment principle;

- representing women's interests in dialogue with the MFA's senior officials;

- cooperating with social partners, non-governmental organisations, and other actors in respect of women's role in diplomacy, equal treatment, and preventing discrimination;

- supporting enhanced cooperation with foreign partners, including with foreign associations and networks of women in diplomacy, as well as with other states and international organisations;

- facilitating the implementation of national and international commitments within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including those resulting from the Women, Peace and Security UN agenda.

In consequence, the initiative is a platform for solutions which could help women diplomats balance their professional career with their private life, enable them to grow their skills and capabilities, thus adapting the Polish diplomacy to positive global standards and trends in perceiving women's role in foreign policy.

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA