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Women in Diplomacy: Work-life balance

by Marta Kozielska and Amal Khan

This policy brief examines how the distinctive demands and culture of diplomatic careers - such as overseas postings, long and unpredictable hours, and promotion structures -create significant work-life balance challenges that disproportionately affect women. It explores both the institutional and cultural roots of these barriers, their role in perpetuating gender inequality, and practical ways to make diplomacy more flexible, inclusive, and compatible with family life for all diplomats.

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Meet the Authors

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 adviser 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. Formerly, Marta led policy research and evaluation projects for the EU, focusing on strengthening citizen engagement and inclusion in democratic processes and improving EU decision-making and funding mechanisms.

AMAL KHAN is a BSc International Relations student and is an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the Women in Diplomacy project.