Feminist Foreign Policy

The concept of a feminist foreign policy evolved from decades of grassroots feminist activism, especially powerful movements in the Global South. These movements advocated for a radically new approach to international engagement: one that takes into consideration the rights and needs of women and marginalized people, emphasizes diplomacy, and seeks to remedy histories of exploitation.

In the past five years, governments from Mexico to Liberia to Germany have officially adopted feminist foreign policies. But today, amid armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarian regimes and antidemocratic aspirations worldwide, the approach and its practical implementation have become hotly contested. What responsibilities does a feminist foreign policy impose on a country? How should a foreign policy guided by a feminist approach engage in the international system and in these conflict zones? How can a feminist foreign policy confront authoritarianism and fascism?

To provide some shared language as well as an introduction to those who are new to the concept, the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Washington, DC worked with a group of emerging feminist leaders from across the world to develop an explainer video outlining the key pillars of feminist foreign policy. We believe that this moment of multiple crises could be a time to prove the urgency, importance, and validity of a foreign policy grounded in human rights and dignity—if only we have the courage to engage in difficult conversations.

Over the course of 2024, our global network of offices looks forward to providing inclusive spaces for the lively and often challenging conversations with partners and experts to advance feminist foreign policy. We hope this video can help kickstart some of those debates.

Language: English

Subtitles: English

From Sweden to Canada, France or Norway, more and more countries are committing themselves to a feminist foreign policy (FFP), trying to find more sustainable and just solutions to the global problems of the 21st century. How does a feminist foreign policy differ from the more traditional approach? What are the key priorities of FFP and how do they translate into practice? How can FFP address the 'normal mode' embedded in the gendered power relations of international politics? What are the successes and main challenges of FFP in today's world, which is characterised by a backlash against women's rights? 

In 2019, the Heinrich Böll Foundation - Prague Office and the Institute of International Relations Prague organised a seminar on these questions with Kristina Lunz, co-founder and director for Germany of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy. The event was designed as an introductory seminar to bring together academics, members of civil society, diplomats, public officials and politicians working in the field of foreign policy.

Moderator: Tomáš Dopita, researcher, editor-in-chief - Czech Journal of International Relations, Institute of International Relations Prague / Ústav mezinárodních vztahů

00:00 Opening remarks by Nino Lejava - Director of the Prague Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation

13:10 Presentation of feminist foreign policy Kristina Lunz - co-founder and director for Germany, Center for Feminist Foreign Policy

33:40 Feminist foreign policy through a critical lens Míla O'Sullivan - Junior Researcher, Institute of International Relations Prague / Ústav mezinárodních vztahů

49:50 Discussion with Kristina Lunz

Subtitles in Greek and English