Patmoz
Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline Njogu, has called for stronger representation and leadership of women in diplomacy, stressing that meaningful inclusion is vital for Africa’s global influence.
Speaking at the Third International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) Annual Conference in Nairobi, PS Njogu said women’s participation in foreign policy and international relations should go beyond numerical representation to real decision-making power.
“True representation for women in diplomacy is about influence — not just numbers. When women are meaningfully included in decision-making, our diplomacy becomes more effective, inclusive, and sustainable,” she stated.
The conference, themed “Women in Diplomacy and International Relations,” brought together diplomats, scholars, and policymakers from across Africa to deliberate on strategies for embedding gender equality in global affairs.
Organized by IRSK in partnership with COMESA, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the event highlighted both progress and gaps in women’s representation in international spaces.
Participants underscored that empowering women in diplomacy is key to advancing peace, integration, and sustainable development across the continent.
Under Njogu’s stewardship, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs has prioritized inclusive diplomacy, youth engagement, and the empowerment of Kenyans abroad, aligning with Kenya’s broader foreign policy goals of equity, representation, and people-centered leadership.
The Nairobi conference affirmed Kenya’s commitment to positioning women as central actors in diplomacy, with PS Njogu urging stakeholders to continue pushing for reforms that guarantee equal opportunities in international relations.
Shadrack Nyakoe
