1st Edition
Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and in Practice An Introduction
Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and in Practice outlines the foundations of feminist foreign policy and the fundamental concepts discussed and utilized by governments, civil society organizations, and those in the academic community as they define, formulate, and implement it.
This book furthers the global conversation around how countries can develop and execute approaches to foreign policy and national security that go beyond conflict prevention and resolution and use a feminist or gender lens to increase gender equality and women's leadership in the security sector. It reviews how governments have implemented feminist foreign, development, and trade policies at the multilateral and national levels, and sets forth the unique global role of the U.S. government, using case studies to discuss what would be needed to implement a feminist foreign policy in the U.S. The authors provide a roadmap, stressing the necessity of applying a gender analysis and perspective to all peace and security decision-making and involving women in all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction, and humanitarian relief. They tie together the movements for human rights, women’s rights, feminism, and peace and security, highlighting how each of these strands brings key perspectives to the study of foreign policy.
This book complements the study of the women, peace, and security agenda. It will be of great use to practitioners, including government officials, addressing issues of foreign policy, multilateral and bilateral engagement, and the promotion of gender equality and social inclusion. It will also be of interest to students and scholars of foreign policy, security studies, international relations, gender studies, development, governance, and political science.
1. Foundations of Feminist Foreign Policy
2. Feminist Foreign Policy Fundamentals
3. Feminist Foreign Policy in Practice
4. The Global Role of the U.S.
5. Operationalizing Feminist Foreign Policy in the U.S.
Appendix 1: Timeline of Selected Key Events
Appendix 2: Summary of United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security
Biography
Stephenie Foster is Co-founder of Smash Strategies, former Senior Advisor/Counselor to the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, and Senior Advisor to the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, U.S. Department of State, and Professorial Lecturer and Executive-in-Residence at the American University Women & Politics Institute, USA (2005–2012, 2017–2018).
Susan A. Markham is Director of HFXX and Co- Founder of Smash Strategies, former USAID Senior Gender Coordinator, former Director of Women’s Political Participation at the National Democratic Institute and Lecturer for Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University, USA (2017– present).
“As the dangers and costs of our current testosterone-driven global security system become increasingly clear, there is a desperate need for an alternative paradigm drawing on feminist principles to address international challenges such as pandemics, climate change, conflict resolution, food insecurity, and population displacement. In their groundbreaking book, Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and in Practice, Stephenie Foster and Susan Markham draw on decades of leadership in the women, peace, and security arena to point the way to a more rational and effective security agenda based on feminist principles and approaches. Their highly readable contribution bridges the divide between theory and practice, and is essential reading for seasoned policy makers, veteran activists, and new-comers alike.”
Ambassador Donald Steinberg, Executive Director of Mobilizing Men as Partners for Women, Peace and Security
“Over the past decade since the idea of Feminist Foreign Policy was introduced, it has received considerable attention but not much clear explanation of what it means and what implementation would look like. Stephenie Foster and Susan Markham finally provide that explanation through the eyes of two practitioners who have dealt with security issues created by gender inequality across the globe. This book will be of interest to students, foreign policy and security practitioners and the general public.”
Joan Johnson-Freese, Senior Fellow, Women in International Security, Professor Emeritus, Naval War College, USA, and author of Women, Peace and Security: An Introduction
“Only a few countries have an explicit Feminist Foreign Policy; the UK does not. As policymakers consider developing these types of important policies, I commend this book as an important tool. It comprehensively examines, accesses and evaluates the policy and the actions that have been and need to be taken, in the context of gender equality and feminism generally. It is a valuable contribution to the debate.”
Baroness Mary Goudie, Member of the House of Lords, UK
“As I continue to promote Feminist Foreign Policy across the globe, it's great to have this book as an added tool in my toolbox. In addition to a thorough review of the framework and principles of FFP, it covers how feminist policies for foreign policy, development and trade have been implemented and what tangible steps the U.S. government might take to move in that direction.”
Kristina Lunz, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of The Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP)
