GENDER OR POWER STATUS? A qualitative study of the challenges faced by Swedish female diplomats in gender-conservative countries

Abstract

Throughout history, diplomacy has been male-dominated. Despite advancements regarding women’s inclusion in diplomacy, female diplomats continue to face significant challenges. According to previous literature, female diplomats face challenges such as networking, hierarchies and stereotypes. This thesis aims to examine how women in diplomacy perceive and develop strategies to navigate these gender-related challenges. To this aim, six qualitative interviews were conducted with Swedish female diplomats working in gender-conservative states. This is because I expect gender-related challenges to be the most visible in states with a low levels of gender equality. The theoretical approach includes how gender intersects with other factors, in this thesis small states. I will be analysing if the perceived challenges have the source of the interviewees being female in a gender-conservative country or their country of representation being a small state. The results show that Swedish female diplomats face two types of challenges: gender-related challenges linked to their gender-conservative host country and challenges because their country of representation is a small state. However, the two different challenges are perceived in various amounts. Some diplomats described gender-related challenges as more dominant while others described challenges representing a small state more dominant. To navigate these challenges, especially gender-related ones, the interviewees have developed strategies such as using their motherhood and marriage to gain effectiveness.