Alexia lara

Research Question: Is there a difference in the success of male versus female diplomatic visits to foreign countries when promoting gender equality?

Started Sept. 22, 2023

Abstract or project description

In Congress, women are more likely to introduce legislation on foreign policy that targets action toward women and girls because of surrogate representation. Indeed, the role of women in Congress has set a significant precedent for introducing policymaking that highlights gender analysis. Women in political bodies are of growing importance, especially as they provide unanimous representation for women domestically and internationally. However, the diplomatic sector lacks adequate representation of female bodies to spread action in their diplomatic visits. Fewer women are provided diplomatic positions when compared to their male counterparts. To investigate this, I ask: Is there a difference in the effectiveness of male versus female diplomatic visits to foreign countries when promoting gender equality? I argue that because women are more likely to be seen as representing women’s issues and to discuss women’s issues more, one would expect to find that female diplomatic visits are more likely to promote gender equality. Comparing data from diplomatic visits with data on gender policies in countries, I analyze the effect of female diplomatic visits. I expect diplomatic visits by female diplomats to be more successful in promoting gender equality because it would allow increased representation of the female body to discuss pressing gender issues.