The Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the event “The Big Talks on Women in Diplomacy” – a public discussion as part of the publishing project “The Female Face of Diplomacy / Women in Diplomacy: Challenge or Mission?”.
The event served as a professional platform for discussing the transformation of women’s roles in modern diplomacy, their contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s international standing, the promotion of gender equality in the diplomatic service, women’s leadership in wartime, as well as the development of public and cultural diplomacy as tools for international support of Ukraine.
The project was launched in 2024 by the Scientific Society of the History of Diplomacy and International Relations, led by Professor Iryna Matiash, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Diplomats' Spouses Association, headed by Tetiana Sybiha, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine.
The event was attended by female career diplomats, women from the public sector, civil society, and the academic and cultural communities, as well as the spouses of Ukrainian diplomats and students. Speakers included Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Tetiana Sybiha, head and co-founder of the Ukrainian Diplomats' Spouses Association; Viktoria Lialina-Boiko, Director of the Directorate General for Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Borjanka Simicevich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Montenegro to Ukraine; Iryna Matiash, Chair of the Scientific Society of the History of Diplomacy and International Relations; journalist and writer Myroslava Makarevych; Maryna Hrymych, Doctor of Historical Sciences; and Tetiana Homon, Chair of the NGO “Liatoshynskyi Foundation.”
Joining the event online were public figure and Chair of the Union of Ukrainian Women in America Natalia Pavlenko, and Chair of the Union of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations Yaroslava Khortiani. Anica Džamić, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Croatia to Ukraine, also addressed the participants via video. The discussion was moderated by Ihor Ostash, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.
In his opening remarks, Ihor Ostash emphasized that Ukrainian women have historically been powerful voices for the nation, even when Ukraine lacked its own official institutions and recognized borders. Citing Milena Rudnytska and Sofia Yablonska as examples of Ukraine’s historical female diplomacy and cultural advocacy on the world stage, the Academy’s director noted:
"When others tried to describe us in foreign, imperial terms and make us ‘invisible’—there were people who stubbornly spoke about Ukraine on their own behalf. And very often, these people, these voices, were women. Without diplomatic ranks, without official mandates, but with a clear understanding that the struggle for Ukraine is always a struggle for its presence in the global consciousness.”
Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa emphasized in her speech that women’s leadership in diplomacy has long gone beyond the humanitarian sphere, and today Ukrainian female diplomats are working on the most complex international issues—from sanctions policy to negotiations regarding Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO.
“Ukrainian women—including diplomats, military personnel, volunteers, and human rights defenders—have proven that they are capable of being not only a symbol of resilience but also a driving force behind diplomacy, security, and peace. The active work and initiatives of Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska serve as a shining example and a significant contribution to the country’s socio-political life, strengthening international support for Ukraine and amplifying Ukraine’s voice in the world. It is important that Ukraine consistently implements the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, and Security,” affirming the principle of women’s equal participation in decision-making processes, international security, and peacebuilding. “For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister Andriy Sybiha personally, one of the priorities is ensuring gender equality within the diplomatic service as a component of European and strong diplomacy, which our ministry systematically and successfully puts into practice,” the Deputy Minister emphasized.
Tetiana Sybiha, head and co-founder of the Ukrainian Diplomats' Spouses Association, highlighted the Association’s important role in the modern diplomatic service, whose activities extend far beyond protocol or representative functions. This primarily involves serving as a comprehensive platform to support Ukrainian diplomacy and Ukrainians affected by Russian aggression through the implementation of cultural, humanitarian, and charitable initiatives in various countries around the world.
The Association was founded in 2021 as an initiative by a group of proactive ambassadors’ wives following the Annual Ambassadors’ Conference, to which ambassadors’ spouses were invited to participate for the first time since Ukraine regained its independence, at the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Ms. Olena Zelenska. Given the unique nature of the diplomatic service (unlike any other profession), spouses of diplomats are fully involved in serving the state’s mission, typically spending 4–5 years on long-term overseas assignments, depending on the length of the ambassador’s term. Consequently, mutual support, the exchange of experience, and best practices form the foundation for preparing for such assignments and ensuring the success of diplomats’ work. Over the course of five years of activity, the Association has established a clearly organized management and self-governance structure—it carries out activities within the framework of humanitarian, educational, and charitable projects, coordinating work with diplomats, scholars, and civil society organizations,” noted Tetiana Sybiha.
A separate part of the program was the presentation of the “Archival Film for Diplomats” initiative, presented by Tetiana Yemelianova, director of the Central State Audiovisual and Electronic Archive.
The event also included the presentation of honorary awards from the Scientific Society of the History of Diplomacy and International Relations to participants in the project “The Female Face of Diplomacy / Women in Diplomacy: Challenge or Mission?”
The event served as further confirmation that women’s leadership is today a vital component of Ukraine’s international standing, and that Ukrainian female diplomats, spouses of diplomats, civic activists, scholars, and cultural ambassadors are not only symbols of resilience but also active participants in building an international coalition to support Ukraine, the development of public diplomacy, and the strengthening of European security.