(Business Lounge Journal – Event)
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta, in collaboration with the Women’s International Club Jakarta, organized a talk titled “Women in Diplomacy” on Monday, August 19, 2024. The event featured H.E. Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, as a speaker. Held at the Philippine Official Residence, the event was opened by the Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Gina A. Jamoralin.
In her brief remarks, Ambassador Jamoralin emphasized the significant contributions of women in international relations, particularly in the Philippines, where female leaders like Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paved the way for female diplomats. Another example is Ambassador Albert, who is honored as the first female Foreign Minister of the Philippines and Asia.
Ambassador Jamoralin’s speech also acknowledged the achievements of Indonesian women in diplomacy, highlighting influential figures such as Indonesia’s 5th President, Megawati Sukarnoputri. The event not only celebrated these successes but also served as a platform to discuss how diverse perspectives can enhance diplomatic efforts.
Young Delia Domingo-Albert as a Young Diplomat
Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert began her talk by reflecting on her experiences as a diplomat, emphasizing the importance of regional awareness among young ASEAN diplomats. She recalled the early days of her career when she first visited Indonesia as a young diplomat, attending a conference in Bogor and engaging in an unforgettable debate with Anwar Ibrahim, who later became Malaysia’s Minister of Education in 1986-1991 when they met again and now becomes Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2022. This experience left a lasting impression on her, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic ties between ASEAN countries.
Ambassador Albert also reminisced about her role in promoting ASEAN unity and collaboration, especially during her tenure as Director-General of ASEAN at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. With a touch of humor, she shared how she coined the term “Association of Six Energetic and Ambitious Nations” to describe ASEAN in Europe, which later became a recognized nickname, even as ASEAN expanded beyond six members.
Becoming The First Female Secretary of Foreign Affairs
For Ambassador Albert, the role of women in diplomacy is crucial. She firmly believes that female ambassadors are highly effective in challenging roles. She recounted how, during her time as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, she often assigned women to difficult posts because she trusted their ability to deliver results. Although she sometimes faced criticism from male colleagues, she remained steadfast in her belief, with her experiences serving as proof.
She also reflected on her experiences in diplomacy, highlighting the traditional gender roles assigned in the field, where “soft” issues were often given to women and “hard” issues to men. In 1972, she was involved in drafting The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a significant achievement that took five years to complete and is now recognized as a global women’s rights document.
Love in a Time of Discrimination
Ambassador Albert shared how The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) became a “weapon” to challenge discriminatory practices in her own department, particularly a rule that required female diplomats to resign if they married foreign nationals, a restriction not imposed on men. When she faced a similar situation, she challenged the rule and successfully won. She referred to this story as “Love in a Time of Discrimination.”
She also noted the advancement of women in diplomacy, particularly the significant number of female ambassadors in the Philippines compared to other Asian countries. Inspired by this, Ambassador Albert authored a book titled Women in Diplomacy, documenting the experiences of 117 female ambassadors and their roles in shaping foreign policy.
Women Leaders in Asia
Ambassador Albert highlighted the increasing number of female leaders in Asia, spurred by the recent appointment of Thailand’s second female Prime Minister, the daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. This made her the 16th female leader in Asia, continuing the legacy of influential women in the region. Ambassador Albert also mentioned several prominent female leaders, including Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, Indira Gandhi of India, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, and Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan.
A common thread among these female leaders is their familial ties to previous leaders. Often, they are daughters or widows of male leaders. Ambassador Albert noted the importance of these leaders in shaping their countries and how this trend demonstrates the strength and resilience of women in Asia.
She also expressed pride in seeing women succeed as ambassadors in various countries like Brunei, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste. The key to success, according to her, is a deep love for one’s country and a willingness to collaborate with others. Women play a crucial role in maintaining peace and prosperity in the ASEAN region, reinforcing the importance of leadership and collaboration within the region.
Disparities Among Women in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Ambassador Albert highlighted that despite relatively advanced gender equality, the real issue is the disparity between women who “have everything” and those who have nothing. She is particularly focused on helping underserved indigenous women, noting the challenges they face, such as the lack of education, lighting, and basic infrastructure in remote areas. A program was created to train illiterate indigenous grandmothers to make their own solar lamps. This project addresses a critical need in remote communities where women often live far apart and cannot access the electricity grid. By providing solar lamps, she helped improve the quality of life, enabling children to study at night and offering hope for the future.
She compared this work to the concerns of her colleagues in Europe, noting that while Asia has prominent female professionals and leaders, there remains a significant gap between those who are very wealthy and those living in extreme poverty. The challenge is to uplift these underserved women so they can contribute to society and ensure a more stable and peaceful future.
Ambassador Albert concluded her speech by expressing her ongoing connection with Indonesia and her desire to revisit Bogor, where her diplomatic journey began.
