Feminist Foreign Policy

Feminist foreign policy is emerging as a new paradigm in international relations. The concept raises expectations of a more peaceful and just foreign policy, but its theoretical dimension and practical implementation are often not clearly defined. This toolkit tries to close this gap and clarify key terms of feminist foreign policy, as well as outline the practical application of the feminist approach to international diplomacy, to security, environmental, development, trade and migration policy.

German foreign policy is often described as peace-oriented, moderate and scarcely militarized. But the image of Germany as a "civilian power" cannot be upheld against Berlin's record in defense spending and arms exports. There is little evidence that Germany prioritizes civilian instruments over military power in its foreign policy. A feminist critique by the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy and the German section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Feminist perspectives are gaining strength in foreign and security policy. This leads to new questions for the politically contested field of arms transfers. The authors of the policy paper analyse the phenomenon of gender-based violence, which can be exacerbated through the transfer of weaponry to certain regions, and call for a more gender-sensitive arms export policy.