SOCIETY 372 /2017

WOMEN AMBASSADORS
INTERVIEW NIGERIA
What a man can do, a
woman can do better”
SOCIETY met with H.E. Vivian Nwunaku Rose Okeke, Ambassador
of Nigeria and spoke with her about the situation of
women in Nigeria and her priorities regarding her profession as
an ambassador in Austria.
What is the percentage
of female
ambassadors
in the
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
in Nigeria?
At the present time, under president
Muhammadu Buhari, there is a significant
number of female ambassadors. Our constitution
says that 30 percent in every appointment
have to be given to women, our
president even went beyond that quota.
You are married and have four children
– do you think that it is harder for
female ambassadors to combine their
professional career and family life than
it is for male ambassadors?
Well, it is very challenging, but having
the support of your spouse and family
makes it easier. In the diplomatic service,
everybody is considered an officer, there
is no gender. It is a matter of multi-tasking
– being in the office and looking after
the demands of the children. In the early
years of my career my mother came with
me to my diplomatic posting and when –
like most times – I had to work very late,
she was looking after the children. Now,
I´m in the position to advise young officers
– and I tell them: if you are advanced
in your years and you have the possibility
of getting married and having children,
do it. Because the more advanced your
career, the more demanding the job is. I
won’t say, that it is harder for women to
combine family life and career, because
in my country, we say: What a man can
do, a woman can do better.
Does Nigeria have a Diplomatic Academy
of its own?
Yes, since 1979 we have a Diplomatic
Academy for professional training for
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