Feminist foreign policy

Handbook on feminist foreign policy launched

Sweden is the first country in the world to formulate and pursue a feminist foreign policy, and this handbook is the first of its kind. The handbook includes methods and experiences, and is intended as a resource in international work for gender equality and all women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights.

• Handbook Sweden’s feminist foreign policy
• Sweden's feminist foreign policy – examples from three years of implementation
• Examples of what Sweden’s feminist foreign policy has contributed to

Sweden hosted Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality

The Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality on 15–17 April brought together over 500 participants from more than 100 countries, from grassroots to ministerial level. They included politicians and representatives of academia, business and civil society. The purpose of the Forum was to advance work on global gender equality through alliance-building and exchange of methods and results.

• Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality to bring together top names from more than 100 countries
• Sweden to host global gender equality conference 15–17 April
• genderequalworld.com
• Joining forces to strengthen global gender equality efforts
• Hosts' summary and reflections

The Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy 2018

“Throughout the world, women are neglected in terms of resources, representation and rights. This is the simple reason why we are pursuing a feminist foreign policy – with full force, around the world.”

• Speech: The Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy 2018

Swedish Foreign Service action plan for feminist foreign policy 2015–2018, including indicative measures for 2018

This action plan sets the direction of feminist foreign policy action to be taken by the Foreign Service, guided by six long-term objectives. These are broad objectives to match broad challenges, cover the entire global agenda and bring the whole gamut of foreign policy tools into play.

• Swedish Foreign Service action plan for feminist foreign policy 2015–2018, including indicative measures for 2018

Women’s participation helps ensure that peace is more sustainable

Fifteen years ago, 31 October 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. But far too often, women are still excluded, which poses a threat to peace and security and sustainable development in several parts of the world. Sweden is therefore working actively to promote the agenda for women, peace and security.

• Report: Sweden’s National Action Plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security 2016-2020
• Article: Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström hosts high-level meeting on women’s role in peace processes
• This is the Swedish Women's Mediation Network

SEK 1 billion to Government’s first global gender equality strategy

Funds totalling SEK 1 billion will be used to enhance gender equality for women and girls around the world. This was decided by the Government at its meeting on 12 April. It is the first time that Sweden’s Government has adopted a global thematic strategy for gender equality.

• Press release: SEK 1 billion to Government’s first global gender equality strategy
• Summary - New strategy for global gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights 2018–2022

A Feminist Government

Sweden has the first feminist government in the world. This means that gender equality is central to the Government’s priorities – in decision-making and resource allocation. A feminist government ensures that a gender equality perspective is brought into policy-making on a broad front, both nationally and internationally. Women and men must have the same power to shape society and their own lives. This is a human right and a matter of democracy and justice. Gender equality is also part of the solution to society’s challenges and a matter of course in a modern welfare state – for justice and economic development. The Government’s most important tool for implementing feminist policy is gender mainstreaming, of which gender-responsive budgeting is an important component.

Sweden is mustering its forces to increase gender equality on the internet through #WikiGap

WikiGap is an initiative to increase women’s representation on the internet. A gender-equal internet contributes to a gender-equal world.

• Media invitation: #WikiGap at KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Sweden to increase gender equality on the internet through #WikiGap
• Wikigap on Swemfa

Swedish Foreign Policy News

News about gender equality at Swedish Foreign Policy News.

• Swedish Foreign Policy News - Gender Equality