The new feminist foreign policy proposed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock seeks to make gender equality and women’s rights central objectives of Germany’s external relations. The Feminist Foreign Policy Guidelines were proposed on March 1, 2023. Thus, Germany joins the list of liberal democracies that have adopted feminist foreign policies, including Canada, France, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden.[i]Feminist Foreign Policy is grounded in the conviction that everyone is entitled to enjoy the same rights, freedom, and opportunities. The growth of peace, equity, and economy would be at a greater pace with equitable participation in all aspects. From tackling the climate crisis to achieving Sustainable Development Goals – we can achieve those only if all people have a role in shaping decisions. [ii]
Goals of Germany’s Feminist Foreign Policy
Germany’s foreign policy is built on the framework provided by Sweden in 2014 under Margot Wallstrom. It focuses on three objectives: Rights, Representation, and Resources. Germany advocates rights to be respected worldwide. In many countries, the rights of women are not legally protected, it includes prohibiting women from certain professions, lack of laws preventing workplace abuse, and not penalizing domestic violence. Women are underrepresented in the political, economic, and social spheres, due to which Germany advocates for equitable representation. Germany also campaigns for equal access to resources, including financial, natural resources, and immaterial resources. Feminist Foreign Policy elevates Germany’s commitment to the equality of women and marginalized groups at a global level. This affects all fields of action including peace and security policy, humanitarian assistance, crisis management, climate crisis, foreign trade and investment, and cultural and societal diplomacy.
How effective would-be Germany’s feminist Foreign Policy in Practice?
Germany’s new feminist foreign policy aims to reduce gender gap and promote equality in Germany’s international engagement. But the effectiveness and implementation are still in question. Countries that have adopted feminist foreign policies have generated a gap between theory and practice. Germany’s policy relies on specific spending targets, that would help the policy to be measurable. Germany’s feminist approach would also lead to political pushback from conservative political actors, framing it as naïve or utopian. Strong political leadership and active engagement of citizens are required in due course of action. Sweden abandons its feminist foreign policy in 2022.[iii] A similar course of action could also be predicted in Germany if replaced by another government. Another important issue is that the word feminist could create controversies, or increase resistance against policies, which otherwise would not have been. The framing of the word feminist could generate confusions among the crowd, and resist it as not being inclusive.[iv] The effectiveness of Feminist foreign policy in relation to German Foreign Policy of the past year, which has allowed higher defence spending in relation to the Russia-Ukraine war. Claims have also been raised that Germany uses the phrase feminist to cover the real politics of its strategic objectives. [v] However, Foreign Minister has argued that she does not see a tension between the feminist policy and military spending, as it caters a more humanitarian approach.
The Feminist Foreign Policy is claimed to be an effective approach to tackling gender-related issues in the international arena. Whether this approach yields effect is still in question. But the case in Germany could be studied effectively to determine the effectiveness of a feminist foreign policy. It should obviously focus on gender-related policies but should also leave no loophole for counter results.
[i] Brechenmacher, Saskia. “Germany Has a New Feminist Foreign Policy. What Does It Mean in Practice?” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, March 8, 2023. https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/03/08/germany-has-new-feminist-foreign-policy.-what-does-it-mean-in-practice-pub-89224.
[ii] Guidelines for feminist foreign policy: A foreign policy for all. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://www.shapingfeministforeignpolicy.org/papers/Guidelines_Feminist_Foreign_Policy.pdf.
[iii] Thomas, Merlyn. “Sweden Ditches ‘Feminist Foreign Policy.’” BBC News, October 19, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63311743.
[iv] Narlikar, Amrita. “German Feminist Foreign Policy: An inside-Outside Perspective.” ORF, September 12, 2022. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/german-feminist-foreign-policy/.
[v] Zakaria, Rafia. “What Makes Foreign Policy ‘Feminist’?” The Baffler, March 29, 2022. https://thebaffler.com/latest/against-german-feminism-zakaria.
Author: Aryasree Karichery, Research Intern, CS3, USI