ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book examines diplomacy through a 'gender' lens: an approach that identifies gender in the phenomenon that it studies, and uses the identified gender to guide the conceptual analysis. It provides a solid foundation on which to begin the historical reconstruction of women's roles, formal or informal, within the diplomatic sphere. The book identifies key characteristics and factors influencing women's ambassadorial leadership in the twenty-first century. It lays firm groundwork for future research on the effects of women's increased representation in diplomatic leadership, whilst providing practical recommendations for the continued advancement of women's leadership in multilateral diplomacy settings. The book concludes by highlighting a number of key developments the Department has undertaken to work towards the promotion of gender equality within their Ministry at large, and highlights potential routes for further progress towards ensuring the achievement of full gender equality within the Foreign Service.
