Women in Diplomacy: Targets and Quotas

by Marta Kozielska

Although gender quotas and targets have been widely adopted and studied in national politics, their use in diplomacy has received far less attention. This policy brief from the Women in Diplomacy project addresses that gap, assessing the use and effectiveness of targets and quotas in tackling women’s underrepresentation in diplomacy. It draws on available academic and policy literature, as well as the lessons learned and best practices gathered through dialogues carried over the course of 2025 with women diplomats, experts and practitioners.

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About the Author:

MARTA KOZIELSKA is the co-founder and manager of the Women in Diplomacy Project at LSE IDEAS, where she oversees the project’s activities and strategic vision. Marta is a policy analyst and advisor specialising in the design, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based policies and programmes, across the UK and EU. Her work focuses on social and financial inclusion, gender equality, fundamental rights, and international governance, having worked across academia, think tanks, public sector consulting, and government.