The Challenges of The Feminist Foreign Policy of The United States of America; An Underdeveloped Policy.

The Challenges of The Feminist Foreign Policy of The United States of America; An Underdeveloped Policy.

Feminism has been an ongoing area of policy within the NATO alliance, Group of Seven (G7) nations, the European Union, and even within the G20. Peer countries of the U.S. such as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Mexico, Luxembourg, and Chile have prioritized the agenda. The priority of increasing women’s participation in international security and leadership roles has been a great factor not only in the economy but also gives importance to the modernization of our society. Within the G7 nations, the United States has the weakest approach to such feminist foreign policy. Feminist Foreign Policy revolves around the idea of promoting more leadership opportunities for women and to take part in leadership opportunities. This strategy also promotes the prevention of sexual violence in the workplace and in their everyday lives.

I am fully aware that feminism is not a political interest in this country, but it does not mean that it should not be considered. Increasing the number of women participating in male-dominated fields will increase productivity and a nation’s well-being because of the increased number of jobs. Not only is this a beneficial strategy locally but also internationally, where we can help give resources to feminist opportunities in trade, development and defence. In this way, we can give international assistance to countries that do not observe the practice of gender equality. But first, we must improve our approach locally for the feminist foreign policy to be successfully implemented. The Biden-Harris administration did try to participate in the coalition but was cut short because of the lack of funding for feminist organizations. The policy recommendations of the government were also very weak, causing change to be impossible.  

(Women’s Refugee Commission, “Biden-Harris Administration earns 50% on Feminist Foreign Policy 1 Year Scoreboard, (January,28,2022), http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-earns-50-on-feminist-foreign-policy-1-year-scorecard/) 

How will we create progress in the feminist movement if the strategy is not made to be of importance? I am fully aware that there are other priorities on the list, but women’s rights should also be treated as an important matter, especially when it comes to sexual violence. Which also has a weak approach in the agenda. This is a big concern, especially because the feminist foreign policy also showcases the protection of women against sexual violence. 

According to research, “This year’s survey was the largest of its kind, with 181,752 students out of a total student sample size of 830,936 completing the survey. That represents a significant increase over the 150,072 respondents to the 2015 survey. Almost one in four undergraduate women experienced sexual assault or misconduct at 33 of the nation's major universities. About half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance. The overall rate of nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent since the student enrolled at the school was 13.0 percent, with the rates for women, TGQN and undergraduate students1 being significantly higher than for men and graduate/professional students. “

(Association of American Universities, Report of the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct, David Cantor et.al,(January 17, 2020),https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/aau-report_rev-01-17-2020.pdf)

As you can see, the OCR (“Office for Civil Rights”) is very weak in its approach when it comes to their protection for female students against sexual violence. We cannot live in a country that treats equality for granted. Not only should we show strength as a nation by being a military power, but we also should show compassion for everyone’s daily needs. And women’s rights are just one of them. 

For example, Canada, a member of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, has successfully assumed leadership in all areas of a “feminist foreign policy” worldwide. Canada, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, France and Luxemburg has successfully funded feminist organizations domestically and internationally, which has made the country a leader in feminist foreign policies and programs. The United States of America would be well to take note and implement most if not all of Canada’s feminist foreign policy frameworks and actions to benefit our economy, Canada’s soft power projection, international relations, and to improve the health of our society writ large.

The United States is the most powerful and influential country in the Group of Seven. If the U.S. adopts a feminist foreign policy agenda, it can act as a force multiplier in accomplishing myriad objectives in various regions – for example, in Africa and in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, the U.S. can strengthen feminist foreign policy by increasing the number of women participating in leadership roles and overall diversity of thought.

A lot of women around the world are suffering from insecurity and defeatism. This mentality needs to stop. We must empower more women to speak up and create change in our global society. We should use our resources and powers of persuasion as the United States to influence other countries through legislation and the soft power inherent in cultural activities.

Gender balance and gender parity are both important factors in policy development process and organizational leadership. Women are not only capable of being strong but also compassionate, and we need diverse perspectives as we work with our male colleagues. On the other hand, we should promote the implementation of more mental health programs to assist in crisis scenarios that can directly lead to saving victims of gender-based violence. Not only will we help empower more female leaders, but we will be able to provide a non-toxic work environment, leading to higher productivity and self-satisfaction in the workplace. For this to become a success, involvement by the United States is essential. Not only will it benefit fellow Americans, but it will also benefit the world.

Notes

(Association of American Universities, Report of the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct, David Cantor et.al,(January 17, 2020),https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/aau-report_rev-01-17-2020.pdf)

(Association of American Universities, Report of the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct, David Cantor et.al,(January 17, 2020),https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/aau-report_rev-01-17-2020.pdf)

(Atlantic Council, What NATO should do to adopt a feminist foreign policy, 

 Gabriela R. A. Doyle, Madeline Olden, Leah Sheunemann, and Christopher Skaluba,https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/why-nato-should-adopt-a-feminist-foreign-policy/)

(Government of Canada, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/canada-international-action/climate-finance/commitment/feminist-international-assistance-policy.html)

(Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, Feminist Foreign Policy, Claudia Zilla, https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/feminist-foreign-policy)

(Defining the Feminist Foreign Policy : A 2021 update, Lyric Thompson, Spogmay Ahmed and Tanya Khokhar, https://www.icrw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Defining-Feminist-Foreign-Policy-2021-Update.pdf)

(United States Institute for Peace, How to Advance a Feminist Foreign Policy, (March,8,2021), https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/03/how-advance-feminist-us-foreign-policy)