The global commitment to advancing women’s rights, solidified thirty years ago by the Beijing Declaration, is facing unprecedented challenges. Recent events – particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the continued suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan – reveal a widening rift between nations regarding the prioritization and implementation of gender-focused diplomacy. What was once a largely aspirational framework is now being tested by geopolitical competition, divergent national interests, and a demonstrable lack of unified action. The implications for global stability and the effectiveness of international institutions are significant.
The genesis of this shifting landscape can be traced back to the 1995 Beijing Declaration, which established a roadmap for achieving gender equality across numerous domains. The declaration, signed by 189 countries, outlined ambitious goals encompassing political participation, economic empowerment, access to healthcare, and the elimination of violence against women. Initially, the framework was largely embraced by Western democracies and several developing nations, fostering a period of relative cooperation and influence within international organizations, notably the United Nations. However, the subsequent rise of illiberal democracies, coupled with a growing global power dynamic, has introduced significant complications.
The Ukrainian conflict offers a stark illustration of this fractured approach. While numerous countries have condemned the Russian invasion and offered humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, the application of feminist foreign policy has been uneven. Primarily Western nations have maintained strong rhetorical support for Ukrainian women – emphasizing their resilience, contributions to the defense of the country, and the need to protect them from violence. However, this rhetoric often lacks concrete action and is frequently overshadowed by broader strategic considerations, such as securing NATO membership for Ukraine and countering Russian influence. Data released by the International Rescue Committee in July revealed a nearly 300% increase in gender-based violence incidents in Ukraine since the start of the war, yet funding for targeted programs specifically addressing this issue remains chronically underfunded, partially due to the overarching humanitarian response.
Contrast this with the situation in Afghanistan. Despite international condemnation of the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education and employment, diplomatic pressure has been largely symbolic. The United States, previously a leading proponent of women’s rights globally, has significantly scaled back its engagement, prioritizing counterterrorism efforts and security assistance. The European Union, similarly, has adopted a cautious approach, wary of jeopardizing its relationship with key trading partners. As Dr. Emily Broadbent, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, notes, “The temptation to prioritize geopolitical leverage has created a dangerous cynicism, where genuine commitment to women’s rights is routinely sacrificed at the altar of strategic expediency.”
Furthermore, the implementation of feminist foreign policy is hampered by resource constraints and competing priorities within international organizations. UN Women, for example, consistently faces budget shortfalls, limiting its ability to effectively implement programs and advocate for women’s rights on a global scale. Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund, despite its longstanding work on women’s reproductive health, struggles to secure sufficient funding to address the complex challenges faced by women and girls in conflict zones and humanitarian crises.
The upcoming Fourth Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy, hosted by France in Paris, seeks to reinvigorate this agenda. France’s commitment to this approach, underscored by its significant financial contributions through the Support Fund for Feminist Organizations (FSOF) – which has provided support to over 1,400 organizations since 2020 – aims to demonstrate the practical application of this framework. The conference’s focus on bolstering the economic autonomy of Ukrainian women in digital technologies, alongside support for Afghan women and refugees, reflects a recognition of the need for targeted interventions. However, the success of this initiative hinges on a willingness from other nations to fundamentally rethink their approach to foreign policy, moving beyond superficial gestures to substantive action. As Anya Ratner, Director of the Women’s Foreign Policy Council, argues, “A genuinely feminist foreign policy requires a recognition that women’s rights are not simply a ‘nice to have,’ but a foundational element of sustainable peace and development.” The future of global alliances, particularly in addressing complex humanitarian crises, may well depend on whether nations can transcend short-term strategic calculations and embrace a more ambitious and truly equitable vision. The challenge remains: can the rhetoric of feminist foreign policy translate into tangible results, or will it remain a fragmented and ultimately ineffective tool in a turbulent world?