FEMINIST FOREIGN POLICY

ANN BERNES

When the Swedish Social DemocraticParty and Green Party formed a coalition government after the 2014 elections, they called themselves the world’s first feminist government and have since then intensified Sweden’s domestic gender mainstreaming and conducted a feminist foreign policy. In November 2015 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented its action plan for the feminist foreign policy with long-term goals for the years 2015 to 2018 and six focus areas for 2016:
1. To strengthen the human rights of women and girls in humanitarian situations
2. To combat gender-based and sexual violence against women and girls in conflict and post conflict situations and impunity for such crimes
3. To promote the participation of women as actors in peace processes and peace support operations
4. To promote the participation of women and girls as actors for economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development
5. To strengthen the economic empowerment of women and girls and their access to economic resources, including through productive employmentand decent work
6. To strengthen sexual and reproductive rights of girls and young people

Welcome note:
Helen Eduards, Ambassador of Sweden

Keynote:
Ann Bernes, Ambassador for Gender Equality and Coordinator of Sweden’s Feminist Foreign Policy

Respondent:
Sandra Breiteneder, International Relations, Trade Union

Moderation:
Eva Linsinger, weekly profil