Feminist Foreign Policy & Debt
In 2014, Sweden made history by adopting the world’s first feminist foreign policy (FFP), setting a precedent that inspired other nations, including Mexico, the first country from the Global South to follow suit. This wave of feminist diplomacy promised a more equitable and just global order. However, the same decade has also been marked by profound geopolitical upheavals.
The world has grappled with escalating militarism and conflicts, the relentless onslaught of climate change, the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, shrinking civic spaces, and a surge in anti-gender movements and fundamentalism. The economic landscape has been equally turbulent, with the Global South, particularly Africa, facing a mounting debt crisis. This financial strain has resurrected austerity measures and structural adjustment programs, exacerbating distress and unrest in many nations. As we reflect on the dual narratives of progress and crisis, the journey of feminist foreign policy stands as a beacon of hope amidst a backdrop of global challenges.
