AP4D-WIIS Webinar | Women in Development, Diplomacy and Defence’

July 3, 2024

On Wednesday 3 July 2024 AP4D co-hosted a webinar with Women in International Security – Australia on ‘Women in Development, Diplomacy and Defence’.

Women in international affairs play powerful and influential roles in shaping laws and policies, in negotiating on subjects of war, peace and security, and in representing the national interest. In Australia, women outnumber men at all junior and mid-levels of the public service. Yet women remain under-represented in more senior ranks and appear to experience significant challenges gaining leadership in agencies involved in diplomacy and security.

Following an overview from Dr Elise Stephenson of her new book, The Face of the Nation: Gendered Institutions in International Affairs – which traces the evolution of inequalities in international affairs and interrogates why women and gender diverse people still remain underrepresented in this field – a panel of esteemed women shared their reflections and insights from careers in the development, diplomacy and defence sectors.

Featuring:

  • Elise Stephenson, Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
  • Jane Marie Hardy, former Ambassador and Advisory Board Member at Women in International Security – Australia.
  • 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
  • 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