“Women in Development, Diplomacy and Defence” AP4D and WIIS-A Webinar
Why, in 2024, must we ask where are the women in international affairs? It should be obvious. It should be superfluous. The women should be right there, in the midst of it all. With increased women’s representation in our most prominent international security institutions in Australia, and a robust plethora of research indicating women’s participation improves security outcomes, this question should be outdated. As brilliant as it would be to live in a world where such enquiries are not necessary, we do not. There is still a mountain of work to be done to increase the representation of women in international affairs and improve the experiences of those in working the field.
Such as it is, Women in International Security – Australia Inc. (WIIS-A) partnered with Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy, and Defence Dialogue (AP4D) to host an online webinar discussion, Women in Development, Diplomacy and Defence. This webinar sought to highlight the recent publication of Dr. Elise Stephenson, The Face of the Nation: Gendered Institutions in International Affairs published by Oxford University Press, and a panel of extraordinary women working in defence, diplomacy, and development. By hosting such an event that podiums the voices of women making their mark in international, WIIS-A and AP4D aim to progress the nuance, and uphold the momentum, of mainstream conversations about women’s participation in international security.
Our panelists included:
Dr. Elise Stephenson –Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and Steering Committee member of WIIS-A
Dr. Betty Barkha – Research Fellow at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, and Technical Advisor on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion for Save the Children in the Pacific
Jane Marie Hardy – former Ambassador and Advisory Board Member of WIIS-A), Dr. Fitriani – Hybrid Threats Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Cyber, Technology and Security Centre
Melissa Conley Tyler - FAIIA, Executive Director of AP4D
The Face of the Nation explores key questions about women’s representation, participation and treatment in international affairs institutions in Australia. Where are the women in international security? What roles do they hold play Australia’s strategic institutions? How has equity and equality progressed over the last several decades in Australia? How has policy shaped the trajectory of women’s inclusion? What organisational characteristics are connected to greater representation?
Stephenson draws on over 30 years’ worth of data, observing patterns and trends in women’s representation within Australia’s key security and foreign policy institutions, to answer such burning questions. Stephenson’s analysis of this data uncovers remarkable insight into the representative patterns of these institutions. One of Stephen’s key findings unearths a fascinating trend wherein our more diplomatic institutions a more likely to have better representation of women within the overall organisation than within leadership roles. Surprisingly, maybe counterintuitively, this trend reverses within our more militaristic institutions. Australia’s more hard security orientated institutions, such as the Australian Federal Police (AFP), are more likely to have greater representation of women within leadership roles than within the overall organisation.
These findings materialise the deeper systemic differences between Australia’s diplomatic and militaristic institutions, raising important questions about why leadership remains so elusive for women even in organisations where representation seems to be progressing. Through such insights, Stephenson brings much needed material to the table for future conversations about inclusive policy within these organisations.
The Face of the Nation’s exploration extends beyond numbers, statistics, and quantifiable observations. Stephenson interviews a range of women in varying roles within Australia’s foreign affairs institutions. From women in the early stages of their careers, to those in the highest echelons of Australian diplomacy, Stephenson brings women’s voices to the table—including seminal figures such as Australia’s first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, and first female foreign minister, Julie Bishop.
Stephenson brings tremendous insight into the causal and enabling mechanisms behind women’s continued underrepresentation in the industry. The challenges women encounter in foreign affairs are threaded through deeper insecurities woven into the fabric of institutional bureaucracies and the normative assumptions that shape our daily social and professional interactions. The Face of the Nation doesn’t shy away from the nitty gritty complexities of women’s experiences. Including challenging pervasive legacies of misogyny and ‘genteel toxic masculinities’ in bureaucracies, and how they continue to hinder women’s advancement and impact their experiences within international security. The book also confronts the challenges of intersectionality—how race, class, and other factors compound gender inequality—and the precarious position women often find themselves in, as they are handed leadership roles during crises, only to be set up for failure in what’s known as the ‘glass cliff’.
The Women in Development, Diplomacy and Defence discussion panel adds further insight into Stephenson’s book by providing space for women in the industry to share their stories. With a range of professional and personal backgrounds, our panel discussion highlights the diversity of experiences, challenges, and highlights that women face in international affairs. One of the seminal points of agreement between our panellists, an observation made by Stephenson in The Face of the Nation, is that policy change is only one mechanism of organisational change, not the endpoint. Policy may serve as a powerful tool through which organisations can increase the number of women, but deeper and more meaningful change needs an expanded lens.
The Women in Development, Diplomacy and Defence panel discussion brought life to Stephenson’s book by creating the space for women in the field to share their experiences. Over 200 people tuned as our amazing panel of trailblazers shared their personal and professional journeys. Each panellist brought a unique perspective to the discussion, shedding light on the real-world impact of the issues raised in The Face of the Nation. Despite coming from such various walks of life and sharing distinctive professional journeys, each panellist could share and relate to a point raised in Stephenson’s book.
Far from all negative, this amazing group of women are not ones to sit back and let these challenges get the better of them. Their triumphs in the field and the advancements in women’s equality they have encountered were a significant feature of the discussion. From breaking through entrenched barriers to navigating complex gender dynamics, the panel’s discussion underscored the importance of amplifying women’s voices in traditionally male-dominated spaces.
A key takeaway echoed by all panellists, and a point central to Stephenson’s research, is that policy change alone isn’t enough. While policies can open doors and boost numbers, true organisational transformation requires a broader, more nuanced approach. It’s about creating a culture that not only includes women but actively fosters their leadership and ensures their contributions are valued at every level. The conversation challenged the idea that increasing representation is the endpoint—arguing instead for deeper, systemic change that goes beyond the surface.
Click HERE, to watch this discussion and gain valuable insight into the experiences of women working in development, diplomacy, and defence.
Blog post by WIIS-A Research Associate, Katie Magoffin, October 2024