The concept of feminist foreign policy is to play a major role in the work of Germany’s Foreign Office in the future, according to plans by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Baerbock has compiled a set of guidelines and is planning to appoint an ambassador to tackle the issue.
“We are pursuing a feminist foreign policy because it’s utterly necessary.
“Because men and women are still not treated equally worldwide,’’ Baerbock writes in the foreword to the new guidelines.
It is a final version made available to dpa on Monday.
The minister planned to present the concept following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, together with Development Minister Svenja Schulze.
“Women’s rights are an indicator of the state of our societies,’’ Baerbock writes in the 80-page document.
A feminist foreign policy strove to achieve equality for women and girls worldwide.
According to the minister, the concept is not a foreign policy for women but for all members of society.
According to the website of Germany’s Foreign Office, feminist foreign policy is based on the conviction that gender equity and equal participation are preconditions for long-term peace and security in the world.
In this context, the goal was to promote the rights, representation and resources of women and marginalized groups, as well as to enhance diversity.
The new guidelines were designed to shape the ministry’s internal working methods and help us to form a ‘feminist reflex, Baerbock writes.
In order to implement a feminist foreign policy, the minister is planning to develop new working methods and structures in the Foreign Office.
Among other things, she is looking to create the post of “Foreign Office ambassador for feminist foreign policy.’’
Baerbock went on to explain: “We will work hard to give our Foreign Service a more feminine face and increase the proportion of women in leadership positions.’’
The minister’s stated goal is to distribute 80 per cent of project funds in a “gender-sensitive’’ way by the end of the legislative period in 2025, to ensure that women’s concerns are addressed.
In addition, six guidelines for future foreign policy action state, among other things, that the ministry should integrate the perspectives of women and marginalized groups into our global work for peace and security.
