Sri Lanka, Jan. 29 -- January 25 marked International Day of Women in Multilateralism, an occasion to celebrate the progress and significant achievements that have been made for and by women who serve within the multilateral system. Several women from Sri Lanka have played important roles in the multilateral space, and the United Nations and several of its specialised in Sri Lanka are headed by women; they highlight the progress that has been made for women's role in multilateralism and the challenges that still remain.

The world of international politics and global governance has historically been an exclusively male-dominated sphere in which few women have had access to a seat at the decision-making table. Despite ambitious commitments...