H.E. Gabrielle Anne Rush, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Singapore, shares her journey and insights on advancing women in diplomacy
Singapore, 21 March 2025 – In an exclusive interview for the Women in Diplomacy series, H.E. Gabrielle Anne Rush, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Singapore, reflected on her journey in international relations, the evolving role of women in diplomacy, and the importance of gender equality in leadership.
Q: As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, what challenges did you face in your early career, and how did you overcome them?
I practised law before joining the New Zealand foreign service. While there were women in both professions, I did feel back then that I was held to a different standard than my male colleagues. If my male colleagues made mistakes or behaved badly at after-work drinks, it was laughed off. If I did, it was because I was bad or a woman. Being super-prepared, and willing to do whatever was asked while being neither too modest nor too “pushy” was a constant line to be walked. And I walked that line as we all did back then. Things are much better now but these things can still arise – there is no room for complacency.
Q: Can you share a moment when you felt like you were breaking new ground for women in diplomacy?
I remember being asked to Chair a session at a Global Oceans conference while I was a junior diplomat on my first posting. It was terrifying but I knew that by stepping into the opportunity, I would help make the inclusion of women, including younger women as chairs and panellists more familiar and accepted as normal and important.
Q: As a woman in a high-pressure role, how do you balance your personal and professional life?
It is not easy, but I try to set aside sometime each day for my partner and catch up with my adult children, my sisters, and my friends. I survived a serious illness 15 years ago so I see exercise as a not-negotiable rather than nice-to-have. I try to swim several mornings a week plus walking and Pilates.
Q: What support systems do you have in place to help you manage the demands of your job?
I have an incredibly supportive partner who understands the demands of my job and goes out of his way to help me; an amazing EA; fantastic team and a network of close friends, many of whom have been in my life for decades.
Q: How do you think women’s participation in diplomacy has evolved over the years, and what more needs to be done?
Women’s participation in diplomacy is now the norm rather than the exception and we see increasing numbers of women reaching the highest levels of our profession. There are, for example, almost 20 women ambassadors based here in Singapore. But there is a way to go yet before senior decision-makers in our profession reflect the societies they are making decisions about – societies that are half-women.
Q: How did your education prepare you for a career in diplomacy, and what role do you think education plays in empowering women?
Education is critical. Without a track record of academic excellence, the doors to diplomacy are not open so looking at measures that support and encourage more women in higher education is a necessary prerequisite.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls and women who are interested in pursuing careers in diplomacy or international relations?
Go for it. Know that you have what it takes to succeed, put your head down, and work as hard as you can in your studies. Do not let others’ views of work women should and should not do impact you and seek out some women mentors and role models to aspire to if you can.
Q: What initiatives has New Zealand taken to promote women’s rights and empowerment, both domestically and internationally?
Well, we’ve had the vote in New Zealand since 1893 so recognition of women’s rights goes way back, and we’ve had comprehensive equal pay and non-discrimination laws for some decades now. These have undoubtedly helped women to excel in many fields. This includes women in public life among them three women Prime Ministers, four women Governors-General, and many senior women judges including our current Chief Justice, Dame Helen Winkelmann.
Q: How do you think the international community can work together to address issues like gender-based violence, equal pay, and women’s representation in leadership?
There have been many excellent regional and global initiatives focused on these things dating back to, and possibly before, the first World Conference on Women in 1975, held in Mexico City. The challenge is to not let the importance of this work slip. Diversity in all its forms is critical and when we are talking about women, we are talking of half the world. Addressing these issues is not nice to have but rather essential for our collective security, peace, and prosperity. The most important thing we can do right now is not forget that.
Q: Who are some of the women who have inspired you throughout your career, and what qualities do you admire about them?
There are many but they include senior New Zealand women diplomats who came before me and broke barriers to make it easier for my generation – the ones that were expected to resign when they got married or had children for example. Global women leaders who have shown us all what women can achieve and then the women close to me who inspired me from the start – my mother, grandmother, headmistress and swimming coach.
Q: What do you hope your legacy will be, both as a diplomat and as a woman leader?
I hope I help model the very best of New Zealand to the world including the role women can and do play in maintaining universal rights, bringing countries together and helping the international community navigate the very many challenges currently before us. I aim to do that in a way that is authentic to who I am and what I stand for.
Q: What advice would you give to women who are just starting in their careers and are looking for inspiration and guidance?
There are many extraordinary women contributing in all walks of life. Be inspired by them whether they are operating in homes, local communities, at the nation level or globally.
