High-level Exchange Visit for Advancing the Role of Women in Foreign Policy

As part of UN Women’s support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia to improve gender parity and further advance gender sensitive foreign policy, in cooperation with the French Embassy in North Macedonia, we organized a high-level exchange visit to Paris, France (14-18 January 2024) for a seven-member MFA delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fatmire Isaki.

Our Head of Office Vesna Ivanovikj-Castarede accompanied the Deputy Minister Isaki, joined by the Director of the French Institute in Skopje, Mr. Hugo Bechtel.

The delegation met with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms. Anne-Marie Descotes where it was discussed the French experience and the obligation to report on the results and relevant sanctions if not abiding to the commitments.

The Director of Human Resources Department and representative of the Diplomatic Academy Ms. Agnès Romatet-Espagne, underlined the important role of the human resources and adequate measures to identify and motivate women for posts in foreign policy.

The Deputy Director for Continental Europe Mr. Sylvain Guiagué and the Head of Western Balkans Department, Mr. Nicolas Faye discussed with Deputy Minister Isaki the EU integration processes and alignment with EU gender equality standards.

The delegation also met with the Head of the Women’s Rights and Equality between Women and Men Unit, Ms. Catherine Petit from the Directorate General for Social Cohesion, and the focus of discussion was on national and international gender equality framework and legislation.

The meeting with the Chairwoman of the High Council for Equality between Women and Men, and former political journalist, Ms. Sylvie Pierre-Brossolette, followed the theme of visibility, online and pornographic violence against women, gender stereotypes, mapping through polls, surveys, and research in the strategic approaches for inclusion of women in foreign policy.

The delegation further met with the Deputy Director for Global Affairs Ms. Clélia Chevrier-Kolacko, and the Ambassador and Secretary General of the Generation Equality Forum Ms. Delphine O and discussed internal and external policies as well as work life balance.

The Ambassador and Head of the “Cellule Tolérance Zéro” Ms. Marie-Christine Butel gave overview of the work of this unit, created in 2020 on request by the government.

The Association “Women and Diplomacy” underlined the importance of mentorship for young diplomats, high level events to raise visibility of the topic.

During all other meetings best practices were discussed as well as lessons learned on how to attract, enhance and keep the position of women in diplomacy.