Feminist foreign policy
Equality between women and men is a fundamental aim of Swedish foreign policy. Ensuring that women and girls can enjoy their fundamental human rights is both an obligation within the framework of our international commitments, and a prerequisite for reaching Sweden’s broader foreign policy goals on peace, and security and sustainable development.
- Responsible ministers
- Margot Wallström
- Peter Eriksson
- Ann Linde
- Responsible ministries
- Ministry for Foreign Affairs
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.
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.
The Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy 2019
"An important part of our democracy drive is to continue our efforts to ensure that women enjoy the same rights, resources and representation as men. The Government will continue to pursue a feminist foreign policy – wholeheartedly, throughout the world."
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.
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.
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.
Related:
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.
Swedish Foreign Policy News
News about gender equality at Swedish Foreign Policy News.
Content about Feminist foreign policy
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The Government increases support to middle-income countries receiving large numbers of refugees
Sweden is increasing support to middle-income countries that receive many refugee, such as Jordan and Lebanon. During a panel debate in connection with the World Bank’s spring meeting in Washington, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate Isabella Lövin announced that Sweden will increase its support to the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) by almost SEK 90 million (USD 10 Million) in additional funds.
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Reduced offsets mean more international development assistance
In the spring amending budget for 2017, it is proposed that SEK 1.3 billion be restored to the development assistance budget as a result of reduced offsets for asylum costs. The money will be used to meet the growing humanitarian needs following the drought in sub-Saharan Africa, and to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and international climate efforts. This is part of an agreement between the Government and the Left Party.
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Statement of Government Policy in the Parliamentary Debate on Foreign Affairs 2017
On Wednesday 15 February 2017, Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström presented the Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. Check against delivery.
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Speech by minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström in Washington 22 March 2017
The speech was held in Washington at a ministerial meeting with coalition partners in the fight against ISIL/Daesh.
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Speech by Minister Regnér at ministerial debate in the Security Council on trafficking in persons in conflict situations
15 March 2017, New York – Statement on behalf of Sweden by H.E. Åsa Regnér, Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality at the Security Council Ministerial level Open Debate on Trafficking in Persons in Conflict Situations: forced labour, slavery and other similar practices.
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Minister for Gender Equality highlights the Swedish Sexual Purchases Act at the UN Commission on the Status of Women
On 13–15 March, Minister for Gender Equality Åsa Regnér will head Sweden’s delegation at the annual session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. This year’s overarching theme is women’s economic empowerment in a changing labour market. Actress Sissela Kyle will also take part in New York through the Swedish delegation.
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Opinion piece: "To us – She Decides"
Opinion piece by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate Ms Isabella Lövin and seven European colleagues in Svenska Dagbladet, 8 March 2017.
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Speech on feminist foreign policy at the 350-year anniversary of Lund University
Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, 7 March 2017. Check against delivery.
