Feminist Foreign Policy

Decisions in foreign and security policy affect everyone, they are relevant for the security and wellbeing of all citizens. Nevertheless, women and other marginalized groups are often not sufficiently involved in decision making processes regarding the security of their communities. Their opportunities for political participation are limited, their specific experiences ignored and their voices not heard.

On top of that, many women and members of minorities face massive discrimination and lack of basic human rights. It is time for a change. Time for a new foreign policy. Time for a feminist foreign policy.

Collaboration

This web dossier is realized in collaboration with the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy.

35 %If women participate in the peace process and negotiations, the probability that the peace agreement will last for at least 15 years increases by 35%.
unwomen.org

The international arms trade is a feminist issue

Women, girls and non-gender-conform people suffer significantly more from gender-based violence, which is exacerbated by weapons. Firearms often contribute to the fact that women and minorities in a society are systematically oppressed and their individual safety is threatened. The following contributions show why the international arms trade is a feminist issue and what Germany and Europe can do to focus on gender equality in the field of arms control.

The European Arms Trade is a Feminist Issue

Online Seminar Mitschnitt: The European Arms Trade is a Feminist Issue - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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The international arms trade - A feminist issue?

The international arms trade – a feminist issue? - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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Panel discussion (24.2.20): Gender, Power, and Arms: International Armament, Masculinities, and Discrimination

Gender, Power, and Arms: International Armament, Masculinities, and Discrimination - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

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The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots as well as the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons are both international civil society-led campaigns challenging established norms of gender and power. Hosted by CFFP, together with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), the two campaigns discussed the interlinkages of international armament, discrimination, masculinities and gender inequality.

Cover: The international arms trade is a feminist issue...

The international arms trade is a feminist issue and what Germany can do about it

Policy Paper

Feminist perspectives are gaining strength in foreign and security policy. This leads to new questions for the politically contested field of arms transfers. The authors of the policy paper analyse the phenomenon of gender-based violence, which can be exacerbated through the transfer of weaponry to certain regions, and call for a more gender-sensitive arms export policy.

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Further contributions

Feministische Außenpolitik

Practicing Feminist Foreign Policy in the Everyday: A Toolkit

Explainer

Feminist foreign policy is emerging as a new paradigm in international relations. The concept raises expectations of a more peaceful and just foreign policy, but its theoretical dimension and practical implementation are often not clearly defined. This toolkit tries to close this gap and clarify key terms of feminist foreign policy, as well as outline the practical application of the feminist approach to international diplomacy, to security, environmental, development, trade and migration policy.

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Cover: How Militarised is Germany’s Foreign Policy?

How Militarised is Germany’s Foreign Policy?

Policy Brief

German foreign policy is often described as peace-oriented, moderate and scarcely militarized. But the image of Germany as a "civilian power" cannot be upheld against Berlin's record in defense spending and arms exports. There is little evidence that Germany prioritizes civilian instruments over military power in its foreign policy. A feminist critique by the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy and the German section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

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