Main argument: Women have largely been marginalised in state affairs and diplomacy is no exception. (500 words) Women’s trajectory in diplomacy. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office had a ban on women joining the diplomatic corps until the 30’s. (500 words) Women started making slow inroads into the diplomatic service after the first World War by taking up low ranking clerical jobs (500 words) The men acting on behalf of the state had a patriarchal attitude towards women. They saw them as vulnerable and more likely to take decisions based on emotional basis i.e women diplomats were less reliable. Hence the obstacles women have faced in pursuing careers in Diplomacy 600 words) This is an indicator of the masculinised nature of the state and its marginalisation of women’s role. (500 words) Nowadays, women occupy a much more significant role in diplomacy. Many head of missions and ambassadors are women (give a few examples of number of women ambassadors per country) (600 words) The current situation of women in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. (see attachment) (300 words)