– By Ananya Nivsarkar
– Intern IPPCS’21
– Student, Lady Shri Ram College for Women
“It’s time to become a little braver in Foreign Policy”~ Margot Wallström
It has been 7 years since Sweden adopted its landmark Feminist Foreign Policy, making it the first country in the world to introduce intersectional feminist perspective and gender equality at the centre of its diplomatic agenda. With a mix of nods, frowns, smirks and a whole lot of doubtful stares from the international as well as the diplomatic community within Sweden, the FFP marched ahead with a promising view of the future. It is evident from the decisions made by countries like Canada, France, Spain, Mexico and Luxemburg who resolved to follow in Sweden’s footsteps and introduce a Feminist Foreign Policy in their diplomatic agenda. Taking inspiration from this, various other countries decided to mainstream gender perspectives in their foreign policies and diplomatic agenda. Disappointingly, this entire idea mostly seems to be rooted in the west, only receiving a lukewarm response from the Global South. Mexico is the only country from the Global South to take a strong participation in this agenda. At present, India is in an ideal position to explore possibilities of contributing to this growing global discourse. Given its outward looking approach to gender sensitive foreign policy in the past, its recent presidency of the UNSC and it’s influential position in South Asia, what should be the ideal next step for India in establishing this progressive policy framework.
What is a Feminist Foreign Policy
Even though there is a growing interest in Feminist Foreign Policy in academic and political spheres, there is not as much awareness about the concept outside of it. Knowledge about this among the general public is imperative as the entire policy framework is grounded in implementation and is not solely meant for preaching a theory. The International Centre for Research On Women defined FFP as a concept under which a country “prioritizes gender equality and enshrines the human rights of women and other traditionally marginalized groups, allocates significant resources to achieve that vision and seeks through its implementation to disrupt patriarchal and male-dominated power structures across all of its levers of influence (aid, trade, defence and diplomacy), informed by the voices of feminist activists, groups and movements.”
FFP calls states to reflect on their present foreign policy frameworks and attempt to make a shift from the traditional notions of foreign policy which are non-inclusive and fixated on violence. It encourages the nations to drop the perspective of viewing foreign policy through a lens where military domination and force is paramount. Instead, it promotes an alternative, multidimensional framework which constructs the idea of peace, conflict and security through the lens of the oppressed and vulnerable groups. It attempts to mainstream an intersectional viewpoint, through which the experiences of vulnerable groups are taken into account to better the present system and elevate the marginalised groups, by scrutinising orthodox institutions.
Adopting a policy framework based on FPP would give India an opportunity to broaden its ongoing work of promoting gender equality in the international arena. It attempts to make it much more nuanced, with a wider impact as FPP does not focus on the conventional, binary gender mainstreaming approach but takes in an intersectional viewpoint. A much more comprehensive approach with a long term and stronger impact, can prove to be a win for India whose past records do not reflect a favourable stance on issues related to gender and marginalised groups’ equality. At present, it is essential for countries to show a good track record for the same as research continues to show a strong relation between gender and positive development of a country.
Sweden’s Feminist Foreign Policy
At its base, Sweden recognised 3R’s which are supposed to strengthen gender equality, Rights, Representation and Resources; which in turn stems from the foundational R of Reality, which refers to the reality marginalised groups live in. Sweden continues to remain the only country with the strongest and an unapologetic adoption of the Feminist Foreign Policy framework. Margot Wallström is the woman behind the successful introduction of this global discourse. She was the Foreign Minister of the Swedish government when the FPP was adopted, and she made sure that it was central to not just the diplomatic agenda of Sweden but the national agenda of the elected government as well. This proves that for a successful implementation of FPP at the international level, it is essential for a country to work towards its national agenda with a similar perspective first. Observers have noted that Wallström seems to embrace “smart power”, something that was also reflected in Hillary Clinton’s views regarding women rights. Articulated by Joseph Nye, an American Political Scientist, it means that when a country attempts to solve an issue at the global level, it ends up benefiting the country itself. At this point, we should also note that since the adoption of the FPP, Sweden continues to highlight how necessary this is for the country’s brand, and how it is continuing to show that Sweden is a “champion of gender equality and women’s girl’s rights’ ‘.
India’s Road to a Feminist Foreign Policy.
India’s profile as a developing nation, with a complex policy framework meant to cater to its diverse culture, and strong patriarchal institutions, would benefit hugely in the international arena with the adoption of FPP. India’s track record with gender equality and protection of marginalised groups hasn’t been the best. With a skewed sex ratio, and bottom rankings on every major international survey related to gender equality, India needs much more than verbal statements and half-hearted support for the cause to improve its international relations and present itself as an inclusive nation.
A practical and rational view of the situation would tell us that India can’t directly adopt Feminist Foreign Policy framework by taking inspiration from countries like Sweden or Mexico. Within India’s context, a strategic roadmap needs to be planned out that would eventually lead us to a successful adoption of the FFP. India needs to strengthen its situation regarding gender equality and marginalized communities at home first, before it is ready to take up an international responsibility for the same. An ideal starting point, which would incorporate domestic as well as international concerns, would be a stronger commitment to UNSCR 1325 by adopting WPS (Women, Peace and Security) National Action Plan. This can prove to be a crucial step for India, especially after its recent month-long presidency of the UNSC.
Domestic realities need to be addressed at the earliest. Ambitious and progressive policy recommendations have been made but there exists a gap between its intent and its actual implementation. Conducting strong research regarding problems and policy loopholes in the marginalised communities while simultaneously taking swift steps to ensure involvement of women and various other oppressed communities directly at the decision making table either through unmediated individual participation (Ex: through quotas) or through collaborations with Civil Societies and Interest groups.
India needs to make substantial progress on the domestic front within the purview of the FPP framework, to make sure that it ends up being a sustainable agenda.
References
1. https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/01/30/sweden-feminist-foreignpolicy/
2. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/swedens-feminist-foreign-minister
3. https://centreforfeministforeignpolicy.org/feminist-foreign-policy
4. https://nordics.info/show/artikel/swedish-feminist-foreign-policy/
5. https://kuberneininitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Understanding-the-FFP_A-View-from-India.pdf
6. https://www.stimson.org/2021/india-must-move-towards-a-feminist-foreign-policy/
7. https://www.e-ir.info/2021/08/06/opinion-a-feminist-foreign-policy-for-india-where-to-turn/
8. https://thediplomat.com/2020/01/a-lukewarm-commitment-india-and-gender-equality-in-security-affairs/
9. https://thewire.in/diplomacy/why-india-should-adopt-a-feminist-foreign-policy-framework
10. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/feminist-foreign-policy-world-economic-forum-gender-gap-report-7265109/
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