Feminist foreign policy
Involving women in peace negotiations has been proven to have significant positive effects such as a lower likelihood of the country breaking out into conflict again, and greater buy-in from the population as a whole.
[5][6] Since May 2011, 45 states and the European Union have ratified the Istanbul Convention,[7] a human rights treaty by the Council of Europe, aiming to prevent violence, to protect victims and to end the impunity of perpetrators.
Among them, target 5.5 is: "Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
"[9] In order to achieve this target, the indicators put in place are: In his speech on 27 February 2020, the UN Secretary General António Guterres promoted the importance of women being in positions of political leadership in all areas of governance.
[15] Regarding the key position of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, three individuals have held this title since its creation by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009, the two of them women: Catherine Ashton (2009–2014) and Federica Mogherini (2014–2019).
[16] In October 2020, a report pushing for gender equality in EU foreign policy was approved in the European Parliament, with 477 MEPs in favor, 112 against, and 94 absentees.
His government pledged 120 million € for to the French Development Agency, money aimed to help feminist movements and NGOs to fight for gender equality around the world.
[24] Moreover, Hudson and Leidl refer to it as a "watershed event for the U.S. and arguably for the entire world", and explains how she establishes what is now conceptualized as the Hillary Doctrine, wherein Hillary Clinton set out principles of feminist foreign policy including, condemnation of rape as a weapon of war and calls to end gender discrimination, that facilitated the passing of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, which recognized the critical role of women in peace and security matters.
As the Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013 under the Obama administration, Hillary Clinton sought to reinforce the notion that women's well-being and interests could play a significant role in U.S. national security policy.
During the same year, Clinton launched a strategic plan for the State Department and USAID, the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review to incorporate women into its policy proposal.
At times, Clinton had to willingly subordinate women's right to other diplomatic and security interests to maintain her role as a credible Secretary of State.
Under the Biden administration, the first female Vice President Kamala Harris announced that they will pursue a "comprehensive plan" that provides opportunities and protects the rights of women everywhere.
Yet, its Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern emphasized how "there is no room for complacency",[27] and that the country will continue to work towards supporting girls and women in education, ending domestic violence and closing the pay gap.
Ardern was praised internationally for her government’s efficient response to COVID-19 along with other female leaders including, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, further underlining the importance of a feminist foreign policy to the world.
[31] According to Lyric Thompson, director of policy and advocacy at the International Center for Research on Women, this strategy represents a sound commitment thanks to a set timeline of events and benchmarks the government is to follow.
In the past, Mexico has led efforts to fight against gender discrimination in international fora such as the Organization of American States, or subsequent UNFCCC COP’s.
Schools closing due to the pandemic negatively impacts the education of girls and women, which consequently, hinders the progress Canada’s FIAP has made when it comes to gender-equality.
[37] With this action area at the core of FIAP, 15% of Canada's bilateral development aid will be invested into initiatives that empower women and girls.
In the following three years Canada has pledged that $650 million will be invested into programs that promote reproductive health such as abortion clinics, contraception distribution, and HIV/AIDS treatments.
[46] In line with FIAP's feminist lens, Canada seeks to improve peace and security through supporting female participation in peace-focused forums and organizations.
[47] Notable books on feminist foreign policy are Sex and World Peace by Valerie Hudson and Bananas, Beaches, and Bases by Cynthia Enloe.
The idea was presented at the 26th Slovene diplomacy conference, which took place on January 25 and 26 2023 in Brdo pri Kranju, where Fajon announced changes of the official Slovenian foreign policy strategy.
