Feminist Foreign Policy

In 2023, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office and its Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development published guidelines for a feminist foreign and development policy. Political headwinds, however, are jeopardising the implementation of the concepts.

The current humanitarian system is failing. This system excludes, overlooks, and underfunds those on the frontlines — local feminist and Women’s Rights Organizations. It’s time to shift power and invest in a feminist humanitarian system.

The Global Unit for Human Security addresses the concept of human security and develops it beyond a mere analytical tool. The aim is to develop a progressive framework for intersectional, human-centric and justice-oriented security policy making.

It has been now almost one year since Germany introduced its feminist foreign and development policy. For FAIR SHARE of Women Leaders, this endeavour meant to influence especially the German process of implementing these feminist policies.

Feminist peace is directly linked to a commitment to demilitarization, but the concrete implementation of this often appears inadequate. A discussion with Hilina Berhanu Degefa and Barbara Mittelhammer.

Which role does feminist development and foreign policy play as a tool of state-funded resources for feminist movements and organisations? A discussion with the activists Amina Doherty and Michelle Reddy.

This article discusses the potential of a feminist approach to climate justice and feminist foreign and development policy. The authors, Gina Cortés Valderrama and Katy Wiese, argue that feminist perspectives are unabdingbar in addressing economic rights, energy transition, and climate-related damages and losses.

In parallel to the newly-issued guidelines for Germany’s feminist foreign policy, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has also launched a new strategy on feminist development policy. Here’s a look back at key moments in international development institutions’ back-and-forth on gender policy.  

This web dossier from our Tbilissi office examines how feminist foreign policy can be applied in practice in the context of the South Caucasus.

The German government is in the process of spelling out a feminist foreign and development policy. This article, aimed at contributing to policy changes based on the new paradigm, suggests how Germany’s policy towards Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, whose political relevance has increased for Berlin due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, could become feminist.

The German government is currently working out guidelines for its feminist foreign policy (FFP). If it adopted a thorough approach, it would have to reassess bilateral cooperation with Egypt in all fields, including security, the economy, and migration.

Much has been achieved at international level in the critical field of women, peace and security in recent years. Yet women are still woefully underrepresented in the Afghan peace process. The basic rights for which they fought so hard are at stake in the country’s internal negotiations with the Taliban.

The women presented in this dossier are living proof of the difference, the big improvements we can make if we strengthen female and diverse voices in peace and security. – The use of Resolution 1325 in the EU.

How do we establish peace? Is there such a thing as feminist security policy? What role do women actually play in international conflicts? How do feminists around the world use Resolution 1325 to fight for their rights?

The stamina of women who actively care for their relatives who have been missing for years inspired Rasa Ostrauskaite in her work for a more sustainable missing persons process in Iraq.

Nomarussia Bonase devotes all her energy to the fight for justice. The portrait of a peacemaker.

Netta Loevy is an uncompromising lawyer of discriminated women in Israel, prefers to be called an activist. She and her colleagues at the NGO Itach-Maaki are improving lives of women and are promoting the agenda of Women, Peace and Security.

The participation of women in political events was a real battle that they paid for dearly, not only as political players but as women as well - A portrait of Mozn Hassan a feminist and human rights activist.

It’s even hard to imagine that in the 21st century, I’m so far the only woman who led a negotiating party and has signed a (peace) agreement. A portrait of Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

As one of the rare women to have held the rank of Colonel in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Munyole Sikudjuwa Honorine has dedicated her life to fighting sexual violence. Currently posted to Bunia in Ituri province, the life of this policewoman has always been punctuated by journeys into conflict zones.