“This year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Association of Italian Women Diplomats and Executives. A major milestone and a new starting point for making the Foreign Ministry ever more inclusive, open and capable of making the most of the talent of its women. Today, Italian diplomacy is increasingly female-led. This is a significant change: over the past four years in government, we have worked to promote and strengthen the presence of women at all levels within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Embassies and in Consulates.’
It is not merely an issue of equal opportunities. It is a choice in Italy’s best interests. A country that knows how to make the most of all its talents is a stronger, more modern country, better equipped to face the challenges of the future. The results are clear to see. Over the past four years, we have focused resolutely on strengthening the Foreign Ministry: 500 women have been successful in the competitive examinations for various roles within the Administration, accounting for almost 50 per cent of the total. This is a significant investment in people, skills and the future of our diplomacy.
Women currently account for 26 per cent of the diplomatic corps, and in the entry-level grades they already exceed 30 per cent. In June, I presided over the swearing-in ceremony for the young diplomats who had passed the competitive examination. For the first time, we have achieved near parity, with 46 per cent of successful candidates being women. This is the highest figure ever. The credit for this goes to no one but the candidates who have made their mark.
This is not merely a statistical matter, but one concerning the significance of the responsibilities and the role that women are called upon to fulfil today in the service of our foreign policy. This is the reason why we have brought before the Council of Ministers the appointment of women to key positions both within the Ministry and in strategic posts abroad.
The Ministry’s Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs is a woman, as are my Deputy Head of Cabinet and my Head of the Secretariat. Twenty-four Embassies and four Directorates-General are led by women. Women have been appointed as Ambassadors to key European posts, as well as to Iran and Afghanistan, partly to convey a clear political message about the crucial importance Italy attaches to the status of women throughout the world.
There are also many women at the helm of Consulates-General, which are vital centres for assisting our compatriots abroad – one of my top priorities. I am thinking of important and complex posts such as Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Shanghai, where every day our diplomatic service stands by Italians living and working around the world.
These are encouraging results, but we are not resting on our laurels. There is still a long way to go, and we intend to press ahead with determination. We want a Ministry in which every woman can fully express her talent, without obstacles and without glass ceilings.
Along this journey, I have also been able to count on the invaluable contribution of the Association of Italian Women Diplomats and Executives, led by its President, Serena Lippi.
To mark its 25th anniversary, the Association has published a book entitled “Oltre i confini. Sguardi e voci di Ambasciatrici italiane nel mondo” (Beyond Borders: Perspectives and Voices of Italian Ambassadors around the World), which is being launched on Monday at the Foreign Ministry and to which I had the pleasure of contributing a foreword.
The testimonies collected tell stories of women, of courageous choices, of responsibility and of a spirit of service. These stories showcase the best of Italy to the world and remind us of the commitment and sacrifice – including personal and family sacrifices – that lie behind the work of those who represent our country abroad.
Women are at the forefront of our international action: in peace processes, in development cooperation, in economic growth, in the defence of rights and in the fight against all forms of discrimination and violence. In recent days, I have called on the Iranian authorities to suspend the death sentence against Najmeh Amini and to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of all women. This is a commitment we are pursuing in Europe, at the United Nations and in all the main international forums.
On this special occasion, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the women at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the passion, expertise and sense of duty with which they serve Italy every day, often far from their families and in difficult circumstances.
Continuing to nurture and enhance their talent means investing in the future of our diplomacy, and in Italy’s future.
