DeepSummary
The episode begins with an introduction to feminist foreign policies and the need to probe how 'feminist' they really are, given the actions of some countries that have announced such policies. The hosts then talk to several experts, including former Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom and Mexican feminist leader Nadine Gassman, about their visions for feminist foreign policies and the challenges in implementing them.
Various contradictions and critiques of feminist foreign policies are discussed, such as the clash between upholding feminist principles and protecting national interests, the lack of coordination among countries practicing these policies, and the failure to take a strong stance on issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict and the situation in Afghanistan. The experts emphasize the need for coherent collective action and addressing structural inequalities beyond just increasing gender representation.
The episode concludes by highlighting the importance of continuing to scrutinize and push for truly transformative feminist foreign policies, especially in the face of rising conservatism, patriarchal backlash, and global conflicts. The hosts stress the need for feminist foreign policy practitioners to find collective strength and speak out against misogynistic and ethno-nationalist forces.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Feminist foreign policies are a relatively new concept with evolving definitions and implementations, facing critiques and contradictions in balancing feminist principles with national interests.
- There is a lack of coordination and collective action among countries practicing feminist foreign policies, limiting their impact on global issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict and the situation in Afghanistan.
- Truly transformative feminist foreign policies must go beyond increasing gender representation and address structural inequalities, militarism, trade agreements, and global power dynamics.
- Domestic feminist movements and accountability measures are crucial for holding governments accountable and ensuring feminist foreign policies are not just a veneer over existing policies.
- Rising conservatism, patriarchal backlash, and global conflicts make it increasingly important to scrutinize and push for coherent, principled feminist foreign policies that prioritize human security and equality.
- Experts emphasize the need for practical measures, political decisions, and collective solidarity among feminist foreign policy practitioners to meaningfully address global crises and inequalities.
- The Israel-Gaza conflict, the situation in Afghanistan, and the actions of arms manufacturers highlight the contradictions and failures of current feminist foreign policies to uphold feminist principles.
- Intersectional and decolonial perspectives from the Global South can enrich and expand the understanding and implementation of feminist foreign policies.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “To me, I don't see it. To me, it's a means, it's a strategy that we can finally get the women from the north to focus on what their countries are doing, whether it is militarialization or deranged policies like the one America has, you know, for Israel and against others.“ by Hibak Osman
- “Really the best way to start in kind of exposing or showing you the contradictions is to give the example of some of the challenges faced by some of the first foreign ministers, feminist foreign ministers practicing feminist foreign policy.“ by Anne Marie Goetz
- “So I have to admit that I was very much inspired and led by the experience I got from being the first SRSG on conflict related sexual violence. That was really something that, of course, have very much shaped my understanding of the role of women and also what goes on in the world, because it also took me to many of these conflict or post conflict situations.“ by Margot Wallstrom
- “Feminist foreign policy is, on the surface, exactly where resolution 1325 on women, peace and security wants the world's governments to go. On the surface, feminist foreign policy, theoretically should involve a complete rethink of how countries relate to each other or work together in the multilateral system to advance human security instead of just state security.“ by Anne Marie Goetz
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Episode Information
The Gender at Work Podcast
Gender At Work
2/26/24
In this episode of the G@W podcast, we delve into Feminist Foreign Policies and look at some of the opportunities, challenges and contradictions inherent in them. We also explore some of the collective aspirations of feminists for Feminist Foreign Policies. These would be important questions to ask at any time but now they are especially important as some of the very governments that have announced Feminist Foreign Policies support Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza or are themselves major arms manufacturers. Now is a good time to probe and understand how ‘feminist’ the growing slew of Feminist Foreign Policies actually are.
We are going to hear five different and thought-provoking ideas about feminist foreign policies in this episode. This will include perspectives from Nadine Gassman, President of the National Institute of Women of Mexico, Margot Wallstrom, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Hibaaq Osman, founder and leader of Karama, Anne Marie Goetz, Clinical Professor of Global Affairs at New York University, and Foteini Papagiotti, Senior Policy Advisor at ICRW.