Feminist Diplomacy in Action: Empowering Taiwanese Female Alumni through Mentorship and Inclusion

Source：the French Government's website. © Sylvie, VertSapiens

On September 11, 2024, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to feminist diplomacy with the launch of its 2024–2026 Gender Equality Action Plan. Building on the successes of previous years, including surpassing Sauvadet Law benchmarks and achieving near-parity in ambassadorial and consular appointments, this new phase of action places particular emphasis on professional equality, women’s health, and the firm enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based violence.

As a Taiwanese scholarship recipient supported by the French government and a graduate in sustainability, I have the privilege of applying these principles on the ground by leading a pioneering mentorship initiative for Taiwanese female alumni who studied in France. This program, carried out under the auspices of the French Bureau in Taipei, is more than symbolic—it is an embodiment of France’s global feminist diplomacy agenda.

In the initial outreach, over 2,000 Taiwanese alumni were contacted through the French Bureau’s network. However, only 60 women responded—a participation rate of merely 3%. Yet among those who did respond, a striking 90% voiced the same concern: navigating their career development post-graduation from France. Whether they returned to Taiwan or pursued careers internationally, many expressed challenges in leveraging their French education into meaningful, sustainable career paths.

This mentorship program strongly echoes the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. By building bridges between female alumni and experienced mentors, it seeks to reduce gender-based career barriers, increase access to leadership opportunities, and promote inclusive professional networks that empower women in traditionally underrepresented fields. It is not only about individual advancement—it’s about reshaping systems to ensure no one is left behind.

When I met two fellow Taiwanese female alumni at an event held by the Bureau de Représentation de Taïpei en France, they were deeply moved by our conversation on identity, impact, and purpose. One of them later told me,

“I really like what Sylvie shared: the more we understand society and ourselves, the more we can find our own intersections. I have always remembered this sentence and often look back to think about whether what I am doing now is at that intersection.”

Three female Taiwanese alumni chatting along the river of La Seine, including Sylvie from VertSapiens. © Sylvie, VertSapiens

That kind of personal reflection and empowerment is exactly what we hope to cultivate through this mentorship program. These women span a wide range of industries—from finance and academia to design, law, and public service—and each carries unique potential to become a leader in her field.

👉So, if you are interested in learning from my experience leading this female alumni mentorship program in collaboration with the French government, or if you're curious about how to build inclusive, impact-driven networks for women in global careers, I invite you to reach out via this contact form. I’d be glad to share practical insights, challenges, and lessons learned— and support you in designing programs or training that foster equity, leadership, and resilience for women across sectors. Let’s keep the momentum going. Feminist diplomacy is not just a vision from government — it’s a shared responsibility, and it starts with all of us.