We need female diplomats!

On 26 June 2025, we welcomed around 100 young women with an interest in a diplomatic career. Particularly the realisation that diplomacy is not a distant prospect but a very real world with ample room for diversity proved to be a true eye-opener.

Diplomacy has long been a male-dominated field, but we are catching up. The proportion of female heads of post—ambassadors and consuls-general—rose from 11% in 2020 to 19% in 2024. The entire diplomatic corps currently has 32% women.

But change is slow. It was encouraging that the 2024 cohort of trainee diplomats included, for the first time, slightly more women (26) than men (25). Yet the balance has since swung back, with the current intake counting 18 men and just 12 women.

This has to change. That is why our department and our minister Maxime Prévot decided to step up efforts to attract more women to Belgian diplomacy. Hence the idea to organise an event specifically aimed at young women.
 

Prejudice

A great deal of work gets done within the world of diplomacy, but much of it happens behind the scenes. To outsiders, it can seem like a closed-off, somewhat secretive world. And for women in particular, there has long been the prejudice that breaking into that stronghold is not easy.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Diplomacy welcomes anyone who is driven to improve the cooperation among countries. And we need every talent, as Minister Prévot emphasised in an introductory video at the event: “Every experience is a treasure, every voice matters, every difference is a strength.”

Egmont Palace

How did we go about it? We launched a call on social media, inviting young women to apply for a meeting at the Egmont Palace — the showpiece of Belgian diplomacy. From an impressive 350 applicants, we selected around 100. We welcomed them in the large conference room, where so many high-level meetings have taken place.

The women who attended listened with great interest to six female diplomats who talked about their personal careers, experiences, and accomplishments in the world of diplomacy. One of them spoke from New York about her experiences at the United Nations; our director-general for bilateral affairs, who oversees the embassies, revealed how she has experienced her long career; a young trainee diplomat also shared her insights, having spent six months working as a consul in Kinshasa, and so on.
 

Gentle nudges

After this sofa talk the group made their way to the Permanent Representation to the EU, where several female diplomats also shared insights into their careers in diplomacy and their roles at the EU. Participants also had the opportunity to ask the speakers for personal advice during a networking moment and a speed date.

The women who took part left the event feeling genuinely enthusiastic. Particularly the realisation that diplomacy is not a distant prospect but a very real world with ample room for diversity proved to be a true eye-opener. They also felt supported by all the advice they had received and the gentle nudges encouraging them to seize their opportunity.

Many speakers emphasised it, including our minister: believe in yourself! Do not underestimate yourself. You have things to say, to contribute, to stand up for. Prepare thoroughly! Be curious, ask questions, read, listen. Do not give up! There will be moments of discouragement, of fatigue, of frustration. But what truly makes the difference is perseverance…
 

Diplomatic exam

This first inspiring event calls for a repeat, because we want to keep making every effort to attract women to the fascinating field of diplomacy. “That human adventure,” as Minister Prévot put it, “that calling which will drive you to defend values, build bridges, and seek solutions where others see only obstacles.”

Also bitten by the diplomacy bug? Then be sure to follow our communication channels. The next diplomatic exam will be announced on our social media and on travaillerpour.be. Keep a close eye on that website or create an account and select which newsletters you would like to receive. Our own website also features a page dedicated to foreign careers.