Home »
June 19, 2026 (Kampala, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Mission to Uganda, joined diplomats, government officials, representatives of international and regional organisations, academia, civil society, development partners, and young aspiring women leaders in commemorating the International Day of Women in Diplomacy and Multilateralism.
The high-level event, organised in partnership with Inside Diplomacy under the theme “Women in Diplomacy: Advancing Inclusive Leadership and Global Cooperation,” provided a platform for dialogue, reflection, and recognition of the critical contributions women make to diplomacy, peacebuilding, governance, and international cooperation.
The commemoration brought together diverse stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of women diplomats and leaders while exploring ways to strengthen inclusive leadership and increase women’s participation in decision-making processes at national, regional, and global levels.
Participants highlighted the important role women continue to play in peacebuilding, mediation, governance, climate diplomacy, migration governance, and multilateral engagement. Discussions also underscored the need to promote gender-responsive leadership, strengthen mentorship opportunities, and create pathways for women and young people to pursue careers in diplomacy and international affairs.
Representing the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Head of the IGAD Mission to Uganda, Ms. Joselyn Bigirwa, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that diplomatic institutions reflect the diversity of the societies they serve.
“The future of diplomacy in our region will depend not only on how effectively we negotiate across borders, but also on whose voices are represented in those negotiations.”
Participants noted that while progress has been made in advancing women’s leadership, women remain underrepresented in many diplomatic and decision-making spaces globally. They called for sustained efforts to remove barriers to participation, strengthen institutional support systems, and create enabling environments that allow women to contribute fully to peace, security, governance, and development processes.
Speaking during the panel discussion, Dr. Edith Namutebi Nsubuga, Head of Department for Regional Peace and Security at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised the important role women play in promoting peace, security, and regional cooperation. She underscored the need to strengthen women’s participation in diplomacy, mediation, and decision-making processes as a means of achieving more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
The event also provided an opportunity for intergenerational dialogue, enabling experienced diplomats and practitioners to share insights, experiences, and lessons learned with young aspiring women leaders and emerging professionals interested in careers in diplomacy and international affairs.
As the Horn of Africa continues to navigate complex regional and global challenges, participants reaffirmed that inclusive leadership, meaningful participation of women, and strengthened cooperation among governments, regional organisations, civil society, and development partners are essential for building peaceful, resilient, and prosperous societies.
The International Day of Women in Diplomacy and Multilateralism serves as an important platform for recognising the invaluable contributions of women to diplomacy, peacebuilding, and international cooperation. Through its commitment to gender equality and inclusive governance, IGAD continues to support initiatives that advance women’s leadership and participation in decision-making processes across the region.
IGAD Secretariat Avenue Georges Clemenceau,
P.O. Box 2653 Djibouti,
Republic of Djibouti
+253-21354050
+253-21356994
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
© 2026 Copyright. IGAD. All rights reserved.
