From Proclamation to Practice: Navigating the Complexities of Feminist Foreign Policy
Celebrating Resilience, Collaboration, and the Unwavering Commitment to a Feminist Future
In November, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the vibrant and empowering space of the Feminist Foreign Policy conference held in The Hague. It was more than an event; it was a profound celebration of resilience, collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to a feminist future. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, and at the heart of it all was a festival that served as a melting pot for groundbreaking discussions on resourcing feminist movements, enhancing monitoring and evaluation practices, and fostering trust within the intricate web of feminist organizations and their funders.
As I reflect on those insightful workshops and engaging conversations, it's undeniable— the feminist agenda is not just alive; it is thriving. The conference itself, adorned with stellar panels featuring practitioners entrenched in the field, painted a vivid picture of the relentless efforts happening on the ground. Despite the challenges and backlash we face, one truth emerged crystal clear: in our collective pursuit of a feminist future, we have each other. This unshakeable bond among those working towards a common goal is the heartbeat of our movement.
However, as invigorating as the conference was, the glaring realities of the world outside its cocoon were impossible to ignore. The echoes of ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, and Pakistan resonated within the conference halls, casting a sobering shadow over our collective optimism. It was a stark reminder that while we cultivate hope and solidarity amongst ourselves, the landscape of foreign policy remains not just neutral, but alarmingly anti-feminist.
In the face of such stark contradictions, we grappled with the paradox that while some nations proudly proclaim the adoption of feminist foreign policies, the ground reality in various global minority countries reveals a starkly different narrative. The careful examination of these proclamations becomes imperative, as we navigate a landscape where the rhetoric of progress can often mask the perpetuation of harmful policies. It's a critical call to discernment, urging us to question the authenticity and impact of these supposed strides towards feminist foreign policy.
Decoding the Framework: Rights, Representation, Redistribution, Recognition
Before delving into the intricacies of feminist foreign policy's reflections, it's essential to understand what this transformative approach encompasses. At its core, feminist foreign policy seeks to dismantle traditional power structures and center gender equality, emphasizing inclusivity, justice, and human rights. The framework is often defined by the 4 R's—Rights, Representation, Redistribution, and Recognition. Countries like Sweden and Canada have made strides in adopting feminist foreign policies, acknowledging the need to integrate gender perspectives into their diplomatic strategies. While these initiatives signal progress, it's crucial to critically assess their implementation and impact.
The Trade Disparity: A Global Imbalance
One pressing concern lies in the disparity perpetuated by current trade laws, creating a dichotomy between those who produce and those who consume. This dichotomy often manifests with producers, predominantly depicted as impoverished, uneducated, and relegated to the margins of the global capitalist system. The gendered dynamics within communities are intricately entwined with this overarching capitalist structure, systematically depriving certain individuals of fundamental rights while satisfying the insatiable desires of those in Global North countries.
Chandra C. Mohanty's seminal work, "Under Western Eyes," sheds light on the intricate web in which women and gendered minorities find themselves ensnared due to larger global capitalist frameworks. The stark reality is that existing trade and international laws tend to favor white men as the purported harbingers of progress, simultaneously subjecting brown and black bodies to exploitative working conditions, minimal rights, and perpetuating cycles of insolvency.
Financial Drain: Multinational Corporations and Global South
Further exacerbating the challenges faced by those whom feminist foreign policy endeavors to uplift are the prevailing international finance flows. Multinational corporations, operating with minimal tax obligations and providing meager salaries to individuals in Global South countries, contribute to a financial drain on nations already grappling with inadequate public sector services, including healthcare and education. This fiscal hemorrhage forces many governments to privatize essential services, creating a cascade effect that disproportionately limits the accessibility of crucial services for women, girls, and gendered minorities.
The privatization trend not only undermines the fundamental principles of feminist foreign policy but also erects additional barriers to progress. It's an intricate dance where financial policies favoring multinational corporations perpetuate a cycle of limited resources, hindering the very populations these policies should be empowering.
Arms and Military Support: A Glaring Contradiction
Perhaps the most glaring contradiction to the principles of feminist foreign policy lies in the realm of arms and military support. Despite the professed commitments to feminist foreign policy or gender mainstreaming, numerous governments globally continue to supply arms, directly or indirectly, to fuel ongoing conflicts. This dissonance is palpable in the support provided to governments engaged in conflicts such as Israel, Sudan, and Congo.
As of current records, countries involved in supplying arms or military training to the Israeli government include the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Similarly, the Sudanese and Congolese governments receive military support from Russia, China, and France. This stark incongruity raises profound questions about the sincerity of commitments to feminist foreign policy when juxtaposed against the complicity in perpetuating conflicts through arms trade.
In navigating the complex landscape of feminist foreign policy, it becomes abundantly clear that success cannot be achieved in isolation. While it stands as a beacon of hope, the danger lies in viewing it as a silver bullet—an all-encompassing solution that can effortlessly address the multifaceted challenges we face. Life's lessons have taught us to approach such grand claims with caution. Governments may proudly proclaim their commitment to feminist principles in foreign policy, yet the disconnect arises when critical issues around finance, trade, and war are relegated to a realm seemingly impervious to feminist influence. A genuine commitment to feminist foreign policy requires dismantling these silos and applying feminist principles holistically—across all aspects of governance and diplomacy, not just where it's convenient or already aligned with pre-existing feminist ideals. Only then can we truly move beyond rhetoric and witness the transformative power of feminist principles across the entirety of global affairs.
Shaping Narratives: Soft Power and Historical Influences
Before concluding, I want to touch on one more critical facet that demands our attention: the pervasive influence of soft power and the narratives it has woven over millennia. In the pursuit of feminist foreign policy, governments must reckon with their historical role in shaping narratives around black and brown bodies. Soft power, often deployed through rhetoric and narrative construction, has been a tool to maintain the established global order. Presently, we witness the struggle of the world to fully empathize with those facing horrific war crimes—a struggle deeply rooted in the historical notion that black and brown bodies occupy a perpetually subjugated status. In embracing feminist foreign policy, governments must commit not only to dismantling harmful narratives but to actively reshaping them. This is not just an exercise in semantics; it's a profound acknowledgment that narratives impact access to security, health, protection, and the investments needed for communities to craft their solutions.
Beyond Buzzwords: Dismantling Entrenched Systems
In wrapping up this discourse, let's not settle for the allure of superficial proclamations or the comfort of convenient commitments. Feminist foreign policy is not a buzzword to be wielded for political optics—it's a call to dismantle entrenched systems, to untangle the threads of injustice, and to confront the uncomfortable truths that have lingered far too long. As we navigate the path ahead, let us be bold, unapologetically dismantling not just policies but the very narratives that have shackled progress. Because a truly feminist future requires governments to do more than just sprinkle feminist ideals where it's convenient—it demands a radical reimagining of power, empathy, and the very essence of global diplomacy. The journey is arduous, but the destination—a world where feminist principles are not just adopted but lived—is undeniably worth the effort. So, let's not just talk feminism; let's walk it, stride by stride, into a future that transcends rhetoric and propels us into the realm of genuine, transformative change.
About the author:
Marie-Simone Kadurira is a versatile advocate who wears many hats, utilizing her diverse skill set and working across various disciplines. At the core of her multifaceted endeavours is a resolute commitment to creating a better world for women and gender minorities. With a focus on the intersections of gender and health, she brings a decolonial lens to her work, seeking to challenge existing power structures and promote inclusivity. A fervent believer in the power of storytelling, Marie-Simone’s current pursuits primarily revolve around advocacy, communications, and research. Currently serving as a research and communications consultant at The Accelerator for GBV Prevention, she also stands as the founder of Vasikana Vedu, her own organization dedicated to addressing period poverty in Global Majority Countries. Through her wide-ranging efforts, Marie-Simone endeavours to amplify marginalized voices, tackle social injustices, and foster positive change on a global scale.
