On 24 June 2026, the European External Action Service (EEAS) hosted the fifth edition of the Women Diplomats Network in the EU (WEDIN EU) in Brussels, bringing together heads of diplomatic women networks from EU Member States and the EEAS. High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas told participants that peace agreements involving women are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years, and warned that gendered disinformation is a growing threat to democratic resilience and global security. The event also marked a leadership transition: Ambassador Aude Maio-Coliche, who founded the network in 2021, handed over coordination to Nina Obermaier, Senior Inspector at the EEAS Inspection Service.
The gathering, held on the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, focused on supporting women diplomats' career growth, fostering exchange, and advancing gender equality worldwide. Participants received a training session on gendered threats and information integrity response led by expert Kristina Wilfore. Maio-Coliche described gendered disinformation as "a sneaky way to undermine the role women can play in decision-making positions" and part of a global backlash against gender equality. Since the network's creation in 2021, the number of established EU women diplomats' networks has grown from eight to fourteen, with more under development. Obermaier said the network will focus on learning from each other to promote talent and strengthen women's voice in diplomacy.
The WEDIN EU network originated as a subgroup of the "Women in the EEAS" (WEEAS) network, created in 2013 by then EEAS Secretary General Helga Schmid under High Representative Catherine Ashton. In January 2022, the network agreed to reinforce ties among European women diplomats to facilitate careers and promote a feminist diplomacy. The event underscored the dual challenge of sustaining internal support structures while countering external attacks on gender equality, with Kallas and Maio-Coliche both stressing the responsibility of women in leadership to act for future generations.