Policy Brief: Approaches to Gender-Based Foreign Policy and the 2030 Agenda: Feminist Foreign Policies – World

Growing interest in feminist foreign policies (FFPs) calls for deeper reflection and bolder action to translate strong commitments to gender equality in foreign policy into policy options. As this momentum builds, move forward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Below the 2030 targets.

FFP scholarship structures should be transversal, transformative and systemic; challenge existing traditions of colonialism; demonstrate policy coherence; and adopt participatory approaches to policy development and implementation. However, gaps in implementation persist. FFPs are vulnerable to the global push against gender equality and the rights of women and girls, as well as political and ideological shifts in newly elected governments. These challenges point to the need for a new framework to address gaps and strengthen the institutionalization of gender-responsive approaches to foreign policy through national legislation and commitments.

Gender-responsive policies to implement the SDGs at global, regional and local levels can infuse the FFP agenda with more diverse perspectives and expand its scope to areas where current structures are inconsistent. The SDGs are also useful in the development of formal FFP monitoring mechanisms. By strengthening the integration of gender equality objectives 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentEffective implementation of the FFP can accelerate progress towards both the achievement of the SDGs and the renewal of the multilateral system.

This policy brief synthesizes research findings, analyses, think tanks and policy recommendations on FFPs and presents their relevance to the 2030 Agenda.