Commemorating the International Day of Women in Diplomacy

Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Diplomacy Through Security and Justice

As we mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, YOWPSUD celebrates the vital, yet often overlooked, role of women in state security and justice institutions in shaping a more inclusive and peaceful society. In the complex landscape of diplomacy, women in uniform, whether in police stations, courtrooms, or correctional facilities, are frontline diplomats engaging communities, resolving conflict, and building trust.

Through our ongoing work in strengthening women's leadership in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, YOWPSUD has observed how women in security and justice roles offer unique insights into community dynamics and bring empathy, negotiation, and resilience into systems that are often rigid and male-dominated. These women are not only instrumental in curbing violence but also in fostering dialogue and preventing marginalization, core principles of modern diplomacy.

YOWPSUD, in collaboration with Search for Common Ground, is currently implementing a program under the Canadian Counter Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP) aimed at enhancing the leadership and participation of women in PCVE efforts within Kilifi and Kwale counties. This initiative directly challenges structural barriers such as limited decision-making power, gender bias, and lack of career advancement opportunities that often hinder women’s full participation in diplomacy through the justice and security sectors.

By equipping women with leadership training, promoting inter-agency collaboration, and advocating for institutional reforms, we are paving the way for more women to ascend into diplomatic and policy-shaping roles, not only internationally, but from the ground up.

This International Day of Women in Diplomacy, we reaffirm our commitment to a future where diplomacy is not confined to boardrooms, but lives in the daily acts of justice, protection, and peacebuilding led by women at all levels. When women in security lead, communities feel safer, conflicts are addressed holistically, and diplomacy becomes truly inclusive.