'We are pursuing a feminist foreign policy because it's utterly necessary,' says Baerbock. Photo: AFP
The concept of feminist foreign policy is to play a major role in the work of Germany's Foreign Office in the future, according to plans by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who has compiled a set of guidelines and is planning to appoint an ambassador to tackle the issue.
"We are pursuing a feminist foreign policy because it's utterly necessary. Because men and women are still not treated equal worldwide," Baerbock writes in the foreword to the new guidelines, a final version of which was made available to dpa on Monday.
The minister is planning to present the concept following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, together with Development Minister Svenja Schulze.
"Women's rights are an indicator of the state of our societies," Baerbock writes in the 80-page document.
A feminist foreign policy strives to achieve equality for women and girls worldwide, according to the minister who stresses that the concept is "not a foreign policy for women, but for all members of society."
The new guidelines are designed to "shape [the ministry's] internal working methods and help us to form a 'feminist reflex'," Baerbock writes.
In order to implement a feminist foreign policy, the minister is planning to develop new working methods and structures in the Foreign Office. Among other things, she is looking to create the post of "Foreign Office ambassador for feminist foreign policy."
Baerbock goes on to explain: "We will work hard to give our Foreign Service a more feminine face and increase the proportion of women in leadership positions."
The minister's stated goal is to distribute 80% of project funds in a "gender-sensitive" way by the end of the legislative period in 2025, to ensure that women's concerns are addressed.
In addition, six guidelines for future foreign policy action state, among other things, that the ministry should "integrate the perspectives of women and marginalised groups into our global work for peace and security." - dpa
