Gender in the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Much if not most of the work diplomats do takes place among national peers, in Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs), embassies and consulates. Our preliminary research suggests that MFAs have been slow to respond to calls for including larger numbers of women, non-discrimination policies and other gender equality initiative’s. In some of institutions – such as the Russian MFA – sexual harassment and work place discrimination is rampant (US Embassy Moscow 2008). In others, such as the Swedish MFA, there is no indication that the institution is infused with overt and severe harassment and discrimination, and the institution has worked with gender equality for some time. The 2014 dedication by the Swedish government to a Feminist Foreign Policy has intensified the internal work with gender equality within the ministry. The Swedish MFA may in