Rup Narayan Das
THE UN resolution declaring June 24 as ‘International Day of Women in Diplomacy’ reiterates that the participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making, is essential for the achievement of sustainable development, peace and democracy.
The resolution also draws attention to persistent under- representation of women in senior diplomatic positions, pinpoint the challenges that woman in diplomacy face, and discuss barriers that still need to be removed. It further notes that lack of parity in women’s representation in foreign policy is, in fact, detrimental to peace.
Biologically, psychologically, and emotionally, women are different from men. The very instinct of childbearing and childrearing, enables them to be more caring, sensitive, and understanding of human misery and suffering. Historically, women and children have been the worst sufferers in war and conflict. They are the hapless victims of such manmade tragedies of humongous proportions. What is happening in Ukraine and the Middle East today bears out this fact.
Facets of diplomacy
The role of a diplomat encompasses various responsibilities. At its core, it involves advocating for and safeguarding the interests of one’s country and its citizens. Additionally, diplomats engage in negotiations with other nations or multilateral organisations to pursue objectives assigned by the political leadership, whether it be the Prime Minister or the External Affairs Minister.
A diplomat can either be a member of the Civil Services or the Foreign Service in particular, or he or she can be a Member of Parliament, minister, or presiding officer of the legislature or Parliament.
The dividing line between politics and diplomacy is wafer-thin. It would be appropriate to include successful women politicians in the category of diplomats. There exists a plethora of instances where women politicians have made significant contributions akin to statesmen and diplomats, championing justice and alleviating human suffering.
Figures such as Ms Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, Ms Golda Meir of Israel, and closer to South Asia, the late Indira Gandhi, Ms Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, and Ms Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, have left indelible marks on human development.
Furthermore, efforts of former Taiwanese President Ms Tsai Ing-wen in combatting Covid-19 warrant acknowledgment. Likewise, US Vice-President Ms Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Ms Hillary Clinton, and Ms Madeleine Albright, the pioneering woman to hold the position of US Secretary of State, along with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ms Nancy Pelosi, are notable examples of women who have contributed to the diplomatic arena in distinctive ways.
The Indian tradition
Throughout Indian civilisation, women have occupied exalted positions much before the term “diplomacy” was coined and came into vogue.
Goddesses such as Durga and Kali are esteemed as champions of righteousness and symbols of justice and equity. It is noteworthy that the notion of women’s empowerment finds embodiment in our deities, surpassing representations found in other religious traditions. For instance, Goddess Saraswati embodies knowledge, while Goddess Lakshmi symbolises wealth, elucidating the integral roles women play in the holistic and balanced development of humanity, as depicted in our scriptures.
This represents a significant contribution of Hindu civilisation to the global discourse on women empowerment, deserving wider acknowledgment, including in the western world. Furthermore, women exhibit a natural resilience and endurance in the face of adversity, a trait exemplified throughout our cultural narratives. Notably, in the narrative of Lord Rama’s reign, while he epitomised good governance, his consort Sita made substantial contributions to the establishment of an ideal societal order, known as ‘Rama Rajya’.
