Women have played a significant role in diplomacy. While the study of gender in diplomacy keeps growing, there is still limited research about gender in diplomacy from the perspective of the global south. The aim of the research is to enrich the study of gender in diplomacy by describing the case of Indonesia. The article focuses on the bureaucratic mechanism supporting gender equality within the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2020 to 2023. Indonesian case in gender equality is pivotal due to its status as the world's third-largest democracy, one of the largest economies, and home to the world's largest Muslim population. By employing a qualitative research method, this study examines official documents and explores the perspectives of key actors in developing gender equality policies. The Ministry has made significant strides in promoting gender equality since 2020. These efforts have led to notable improvements, including an increase in the number of female diplomats holding ambassadorial and second echelon positions, although challenges persist in other high-ranking positions. Considering the rise in the number of female diplomats admitted since 2018, surpassing male counterparts, and the ongoing efforts of the Ministry to empower women through gender-responsive policies, enhanced facilities, and leadership support, it is foreseeable that more women will occupy high-level positions within the Ministry in the future. Therefore, it is vital to develop a comprehensive roadmap outlining gender equality strategies that will serve as a guiding framework for advancing gender equality and ensuring continuity in gender equality initiatives regardless of changes in leadership.

Keywords: gender equality, bureaucratic support, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
female diplomats, policy initiatives.