Feminist foreign policy

Action plan for feminist foreign policy 2021

The action plan sets the direction of 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 spectrum of foreign policy tools into play.

• Swedish Foreign Service action plan for feminist foreign policy 2019–2022

Covid-19 and gender equality

Crises affect women and men in different ways. Already discriminated and marginalised groups and individuals are being hit the hardest. Covid-19 is no exception. Women’s economic situation is disproportionately affected as they are often found in low-wage jobs and in the informal sector as well as oftentimes lacking access to social safety nets. Furthermore, violence against women has increased. There is also a risk of increased maternal and child mortality due to sexual and reproductive health care being crowded out or further limited. Women's rights organisations have also reported on the challenges in participating in political and peace processes. At the same time, opportunities may emerge when communities come together to counter the pandemic.

By pursuing a feminist foreign policy, Sweden consistently works for gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls.

• Joint press statement - Protecting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Promoting Gender-responsiveness in the COVID-19 crisis
• Article on Covid-19 and gender equality by, amongst others, Foreign Minister Ann Linde

Handbook on feminist foreign policy

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

Government communication on the feminist foreign policy

Five years of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy show that it generates results. This is outlined in the Government communication on the policy which was presented by the Government to the Riksdag in September 2019. The feminist foreign policy has, among other things, contributed to support for female members of parliament and entrepreneurs, fewer cases of maternal mortality and unplanned pregnancies, and more resources for gender equality and women’s and girl’s rights. Sweden has also contributed toward mobilising and financing for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

• Government communication: Sweden’s feminist foreign policy

Feminist Trade Policy

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. 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. There is also overwhelming evidence that gender equality boosts economic growth. Despite this, trade policy today benefits men more than women.

• Information material: Feminist Trade Policy

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.

• More women on the internet thanks to WikiGap
• More on WikiGap