The Feminist Foreign Policy (FPP) Movement

Why in news?

Germany has recently introduced new feminist guidelines that will guide its diplomacy and developmental goals and increasing FPP across the world.

FPP - There is no singular, cohesive definition of a “feminist foreign policy” for governments.
FPP defines that women to be included in foreign diplomacy to promote international peace.
The FPP calls for the state to promote good practices to achieve gender equality and to guarantee all women their human rights through diplomatic relationships.

Feminist foreign policy is a concept evolved by Margot Wallstrom, former Swedish Foreign minister

To overcome the Systemic and structural subordination and marginalization of women that characterize the lives of countless women across the world.
FPP to ensure people “have the same right to representation and access to resources”.
FBB mandates that gender equality to be corner stone of every diplomatic engagement, reiterating that women, girls and marginalized groups must be protected from violence.
FBB prioritizes equal treatment and equal opportunity, while being gender-responsive across policies.
The adoption of FFP by the South Asian nations will enhance gender equality within the region and beyond.

Women account for only 16% of the Indian Foreign Service and only 18% of top leadership positions in embassies around the world.
Indian foreign policy lacks gender-inclusive and need to adopt a feminist foreign policy (FFP) framework.
An all-woman police force from India was deployed under the aegis of the United Nations (UN) in Liberia back in 2007.
Global Gender Gap Index 2022 – India ranks 135.

There are currently three countries whose foreign policies are explicitly feminist: Sweden, Canada and France as of march 2019.
Sweden, Canada, The Netherlands, and Mexico are countries which have adopted FPP framework.

Sweden, for instance, faced criticism for its binary focus on women, and not people of all genders
The countries (Canada, Sweden and Germany) having FPP also carry arms trade in other hand which is against FPP.
The investments made to promote FPP only benefit the private firms and doesn’t yield the intended aims and goals.
Lack of funds for FPP
Ambiguity in the definition of FPP.
Lack of consensus in the international forums about FPP.

United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 focus on raising the status of women and mainstreaming gender.

Sustainable development goals 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

References