Explained | The feminist foreign policy movement
The Hindu
What is the feminist foreign policy movement? Which countries have adopted similar policies? What do critics say?
Story so far: Germany on March 1 introduced new feminist guidelines that will guide its diplomacy and developmental goals. Its Centre-left government will lobby for gender equality, centring women’s rights and uplifting women’s participation in foreign policy.
Germany’s first female Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also emphasised that the feminist foreign policy (FPP) is meant to help all “marginalised” groups who have been pushed to the margins of society on account of, among other things, their origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity. An FPP will ensure people “have the same right to representation and access to resources”, she said.
The decision has reanimated conversation around the feminist foreign policy movement, which started in 2014 with a leftist Swedish government. Other nations — including Canada, Chile, Mexico, France, Mongolia, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — have since embraced a feminist approach to foreign policy, making equal rights and equality a cornerstone of their international dealings.
What does Germany propose?
The 88-page-long guidelines cut across foreign policy measures including peace missions, funding for humanitarian aid and education policy. The government will allocate 8% of Germany’s development funds – almost $12.8 billion – to projects that directly work towards gender equality as a primary goal. 85% of the funds must flow into projects where gender equality is a secondary goal, and those which “acknowledge the needs of women and marginalised groups”.
Value is placed on meaningful representation and inclusion of marginalised groups in decision-making processes. Ms. Baerbock stated the need to “raise the proportion of women in senior roles” for the diplomatic arm of the government to have a “more female face”.
The feminist policy mandates that gender equality be at the fulcrum of every diplomatic engagement, reiterating that women, girls and marginalised groups must be protected from violence. The document states, “Equal political, economic, and social participation, the strengthening of sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, and unrestricted access to equal education and health care are central to us.”