Report blasts gender bias in diplomatic and security roles

Australia has a “severe gender imbalance” among its top diplomatic postings, policy advisers and national security roles, which may be linked to a lack of female science graduates, an independent Sydney think tank has said.

The Lowy Institute, which focuses chiefly on foreign policy and Australia’s role in international relations, says this gender imbalance reflects the cultural bias of male-dominated networks in many government agencies.   

It also points to a continuing failure to attract more women to university science courses and research relevant to executive defence and intelligence roles.