Dear Colleagues:
Thanks to everyone who was able to join WFN’s most recent webinar, Opportunities to Advance Feminist Foreign Policy. Spogmay Ahmed of the Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative kicked off this incredible online discussion by offering a definition, co-developed with global feminist thinkers and experts, for Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP). They describe it as:
“the policy of a state that defines its interactions with other states, as well as movements and other non-state actors, in a manner that prioritizes peace, gender equality and environmental integrity; enshrines, promotes, and protects the human rights of all; seeks to disrupt colonial, racist, patriarchal and male-dominated power structures; and allocates significant resources, including research, to achieve that vision. Feminist foreign policy is coherent in its approach across all of its levers of influence, anchored by the exercise of those values at home and co-created with feminist activists, groups, and movements, at home and abroad.”
Over the course of this webinar, we heard about the promise of this bold vision for the world, as well as the reality and shortcomings of nations that espouse a feminist foreign policy but whose actions contradict the above principles. Mónica Ramírez of Justice for Migrant Women reminded us that while staying engaged and in dialogue about foreign policy is essential, issues don’t just begin or end at borders, particularly for migrant people. Whether we are talking about gender-based violence, climate justice, or economic mobility, feminists and other stakeholders need to consider a whole-world strategy. Kavita Ramdas, who is currently a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at Robert Bosch Academy, built on this discussion of borders, calling on feminist funds to also think about ways in which we can break down artificial barriers between what’s viewed as domestic versus international in our work to advance gender justice.
These feminist leaders touched on many issues during this rich and timely conversation, which you can listen to here. For more on FFP than could be covered in this hour-long call, you can also check out this paper published by the Collaborative, Defining Feminist Foreign Policy and stay tuned for additional feminist foreign policy events offered to the WFN community.
With gratitude,
Mirenda Meghelli, Esq.
Women’s Funding Network
Director of Policy and Programs