The STG Talks, held weekly at the Florence School of Transnational Governance, serve as a space for discussion for the entire EUI community. Led by the Policy Leader Fellows, the talks are a place for informal learning and exchange on global issues affecting different areas of policymaking.
Are we entering the era of feminist cancellation? Or are we simply facing the same challenges, now presented in a more aggressive and shameless way? Whether it is one or the other, advancing gender-sensitive public policy remains crucial. The feminist movement has consistently demonstrated the creativity needed to make way for transformation.
Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP)—a model for states to pursue a gender-transformative approach in their foreign policy—has been a growing trend since Sweden first adopted it in 2014. To date, at least 16 countries have adopted or taken steps toward FFP. These include France, Spain, and Germany in Europe; Mexico, Chile, and Colombia in Latin America; and states in other regions. While there is no single, agreed-upon definition of FFP across borders, a baseline understanding exists: its goal is to mainstream gender equality with an intersectional approach into foreign policy. Specific commitments vary, ranging from ensuring women’s representation in peace and security policies, combating gender-based violence and improving access to sexual and reproductive health services in humanitarian settings, to adopting a human security framework and including climate change, energy, and trade policy.
At the same time, we are witnessing an era of backlash, where gender-sensitive policies are being defunded and the feminist movement is under attack. While the democratic rollback and the rise of authoritarian leadership also threaten freedom of speech, climate action, and other basic human rights, the assault on gender equality is particularly fierce, with feminism often singled out as a public enemy. This reality opens a discussion on viable strategies to advance gender equality and poses a pragmatic, contextual question: what is the added value of the F-word in foreign policy today?
This STG Talk will explore strategies in the foreign policy arena—using a feminist and intersectional approach—to pursue the world we want amidst this gender backlash.
Speakers:
This event will be held in hybrid format.