Noemí Sanín and María Emma Mejía. The Rupture of Two Centuries of Male Hegemony in the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This article analyzes the contribution of Colombia’s first two women foreign ministers, Noemí Sanín and María Emma Mejía, to the development of Colombian diplomacy in the 1990s. After almost two centuries of male leadership in the ministry, both stood out as symbols of a historical change that allowed greater female participation in spaces of political power in Latin America. Although profoundly different junctures and mandates marked their positions, both made important contributions to the diversification of allies and the international agenda and positioned peace and the environment as key areas of Colombia’s foreign policy. From this moment on, the way was paved for the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have been presided over most of the time by women during the 21st century.

Keywords:
Colombia; Diplomacy; Gender; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Women