How can foreign ministries better support gender equality and the well-being of diplomatic families?

In their academic article, Three Types of Welfare Regime in Diplomacy: Gender Policies in European Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Kateřina Kočí, Jaroslava Devine Mildorf and Tomáš Dopita examine how family support policies shape the professional opportunities and career progression of diplomats, particularly women, across 15 European foreign services.

Drawing on comparative research conducted between 2018 and 2022, the authors develop a framework of three foreign service welfare regimes: the sole breadwinner family (SBF) regime, the laissez-faire (L-F) regime and the dual breadwinner family (DBF) regime. These models distinguish foreign ministries according to their approaches to maternity and parental leave for diplomats, and the employment, income and pension rights of accompanying spouses and partners.

The findings reveal considerable differences across Europe. In some foreign services, maternity leave during overseas postings is more restricted than at home, while financial arrangements can discourage accompanying partners from seeking employment and leave them with limited pension protection. Other foreign services provide more supportive conditions, enabling diplomats to exercise their maternity rights while offering accompanying partners greater opportunities for economic independence.

The study identifies a potential association between more supportive welfare regimes and a higher representation of women in ambassadorial positions. Although the research does not establish a direct causal relationship, it demonstrates how institutional policies can influence the conditions in which women sustain their diplomatic careers and progress to senior positions.

The central message is that gender equality in diplomacy requires more than increasing women’s representation in leadership. It also requires practical and institutional support that enables diplomats to combine family life with professional responsibilities and safeguards the socio-economic independence of accompanying partners.

For EUFASA, this research is particularly relevant to its work on the challenges facing diplomatic families. It highlights the importance of fair maternity and parental provisions, access to employment for accompanying partners, and adequate pension protection. By recognising the needs of both diplomats and their families, foreign ministries can help create more inclusive, equitable and sustainable diplomatic careers.

The article offers a valuable comparative framework for understanding how family policies can help transform traditional gender roles in diplomacy and support meaningful, long-term progress towards gender equality.

Read the full academic article: Three Types of Welfare Regime in Diplomacy: Gender Policies in European Ministries of Foreign Affairs

Published online on 1 October 2026.