NIGERIAN WOMEN AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: A FOCUS ON GENDER DIPLOMACY

Abstract This study critically examines the involvement of Nigerian women in international relations, with a particular focus on gender diplomacy as a transformative framework for achieving inclusive foreign policy outcomes. Despite Nigeria’s prominent role in regional and global diplomacy, women remain significantly underrepresented in the country's diplomatic corps and high-level foreign policy decision-making. Drawing on Feminist International Relations Theory and Constructivism, this research explores the historical, socio-cultural, and institutional barriers that have hindered women's full participation in diplomacy and analyzes how gender diplomacy can serve as a strategic tool for enhancing Nigeria's global influence. The study employs a qualitative methodology based on secondary data sources, including academic literature, policy documents, government reports, and international frameworks such as UNSCR 1325, CEDAW, and Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS). Findings reveal that Nigerian women have made notable contributions in areas such as peace-building, economic diplomacy, and multilateral negotiations, yet their achievements are often marginalized due to entrenched patriarchal norms, lack of mentorship, institutional bias, and limited access to leadership roles. High-profile figures like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador Folake Awokoya exemplify the potential of Nigerian women to lead globally, but their representation remains the exception rather than the norm. The study recommended a multi-faceted approach to address these challenges, including the implementation of gender quotas, the establishment of a Gender Diplomacy Unit, gender-responsive workplace policies, targeted mentorship programs, and active engagement with international best practices. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on gender and international relations in Africa and provides a policy-relevant framework for integrating women's voices into diplomacy. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing gender equity in global governance.