On International Women's Day, we think of the resilience and strength of women. Their resolve to stand up against injustice. Their dedication to protect others. Their unrelenting strive for change. The EU stands united with all women to build momentum for their rights across the globe. We want to empower women to pursue their life goals unhindered. Standing up for women's rights and gender equality is a core priority of the EU's external policy.

In this spirit, ahead of International Women’s Day, on 7 March 2023, the trainees of the EU Delegation followed the tradition of organising an event for interns by interns – #interNconnected – on the topic of women in multilateralism, providing a space for discussions and a networking occasion for young professionals working on multilateral issues in Geneva. The event was moderated by trainees of the EU Delegation, and designed to allow the audience to engage, to share their views, and to participate in the discussion.

“Multilateralism is about youth, and for multilateralism to survive at the time where there are a lot of questions about it means you are a multiplier for a broader trend.” Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, EU Delegation in Geneva

Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, EU Delegation in Geneva, delivered opening remarks while the panel for the ensuing discussion was composed of six female leaders from across all regions, including Ambassador Hend Abdalrahman Al-Muftah, Permanent Mission of Qatar in Geneva; Ambassador Anna Jardfelt, Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva; Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Mission of Viet Nam in Geneva; Ambassador Francisca Elizabeth Méndez Escobar, Permanent Mission of Mexico in Geneva; Mónica Ferro, Director of Geneva Office, United Nations Population Fund; and Adriana Quiñones, Director, UN Women Liaison Office in Geneva. The panellists openly shared their inspiring personal experiences as women in diplomacy, the challenges they faced, but also the opportunities they see for women, their vision of gender dynamics in multilateralism, and advice for the next generation. They reported on micro-aggression and clear-cut gender discrimination they faced throughout their careers, and expressed the younger generation to speak up when being faced with these kind of situations in order to achieve a cultural change.

“I was brought up by a single mother, only sisters, and a very strong grandmother. It was clear that if women wanted to have economic independence, and achieve something, you had to rely on yourself and have a strong education.” Ambassador Anna Jardfelt, Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva

“I grew up in Colombia after 50 years of conflict. The backlash and barriers women have to overcome to participate and be in decision making positions have still not been eliminated.” Adriana Quiñones, Director, UN Women Liaison Office in Geneva

“We have to break our cultural and educational patriarchal barriers. One of my dreams is that one day we won’t have the necessity to celebrate International Women’s Day.” Ambassador Francisca Elizabeth Méndez Escobar, Permanent Mission of Mexico in Geneva

“You always feel the pressure of having to perform better than your male colleagues in order to be outstanding. You want to be assessed on the way you perform, not on the way you behave, the way you dress, the way you sit.” Mónica Ferro, Director of Geneva Office, United Nations Population Fund

“Women can lead the change and change the world. As long as we believe in ourselves, we can break any barrier.” Ambassador Hend Abdalrahman Al-Muftah, Permanent Mission of Qatar in Geneva

“Women can do a lot. Sometimes we have this interior barrier, we always wait before taking the opportunity, wait before accepting a job offer. You need to network and make yourself heard.” Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Mission of Viet Nam in Geneva

The interns and young professionals could thus learn from the experiences of these remarkable women in political leadership positions from different continents and receive advice for their future careers. While the EU has taken landmark decisions to ensure that women in the EU have the same opportunities as men, there is more work to be done. Real equal rights are still a long way off. Gender equality will only be achieved the day we are all part of its promotion and defence, be it in the EU and in the world.