The war in Ukraine should not be the death knell for Germany’s feminist approach - far from it. The precepts of the détente policy of the 1980s - whether conventional arms control, limitation of nuclear weapons or confidence-building measures - are hot topics once again. If the war is not to end with the annihilation of one party, there will eventually have to be a compromise on questions of European security, even if it is painful in view of how the war started. In addition, the diplomatic attempts made to avert war before the invasion must continue. Moreover, despite the exception currently made for Ukraine, Germany’s principled ban on arms exports to conflict regions should remain. This means, for example, using economic sanctions in a targeted manner, and withdrawing them quickly and effectively in return for a corresponding political concession. Such necessary action, however, must also take the consequences for the people themselves into account, whether in Ukraine, Russia or elsewhere. In the current situation, Ukraine must defend itself that’s why it’s up to Germany and all other countries to ensure that it is able do so. However, in the event of illness or accidents - or even intentional injuries - emergency care is also required. But such a question fails to capture the nature of the approach, which is a bit like a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, sufficient exercise and ample sleep are the basis for a long life. The war unfolding on Europe’s doorstep may lead some to ask what this feminist approach could do to counter the current Russian aggression. The Swedish government has been a pioneer of feminist foreign policy since 2014, and Canada, France and Mexico have followed suit, at least in specific policy fields like “ feminist diplomacy.” Other countries such as Denmark and Spain are pursuing gender-sensitive approaches in foreign policy as well, and the European Parliament also adopted a corresponding initiative at the end of 2020. This may be a novelty in Germany, but it is not new to the world. The feminist approach, in turn, demands equal participation for all marginalized groups - whether due to ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age. Such a policy approach mirrors the many elements of the concept of “human security,” coined by the United Nations, which focuses on the protection of the individual in his or her human dignity rather than the traditional protection of the state. In addition to immediate support for Ukraine and pressure on the Kremlin to end this war, what Germany needs is a foreign policy oriented toward long-term goals, which is exactly what feminist foreign policy entails. ![]() ![]() It’s about human rights and conflict prevention, economic development and social participation, just as much as it’s about health and the environment. ![]() In short, it puts the needs of all people first - and not just those of the loudest or most powerful. Despite its name, feminist foreign policy is not primarily about the advancement of women it’s about a fundamentally different international approach.
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