The Government of Canada is developing a feminist foreign policy. What does a feminist approach to foreign policy mean to you? What actions can Canada take in the next two years to implement its feminist foreign policy? In late 2020, the Feminist Foreign Policy Working Group solicited responses to these questions in a series of webinars, and through written and video submissions, which are posted below. The government of Canada hopes to launch its feminist foreign policy in the first half of 2021.
The Feminist Foreign Policy Working Group contributed three reports to the policy-making process:
- Discussion Paper on Feminist Foreign Policy (français)
- What We Heard: Feedback from discussions on Canada’s feminist foreign policy (français)
- Be Brave, Be Bold: Recommendations for Canada’s feminist foreign policy (français)
What is feminist foreign policy?
- Government of Canada’s Scene-Setter Document on Feminist Foreign Policy / Mise en contexte : dialogue sur la politique étrangère féministe
- Feminist Foreign Policy Working Group’s Discussion Paper on Feminist Foreign Policy/ Conversations sue la politique étrangère féministe du Canada: document d’information
- Feminist Foreign Policy Reading List
In 2014 Sweden made history by announcing that it would follow a feminist foreign policy. Since then several other governments have followed suit including Canada, Mexico, Luxembourg, and France.
Canada launched its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) in June 2017. Officials have said on numerous occasions that Canada has a feminist foreign policy and that key components are the Feminist International Assistance Policy; the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan; the ‘progressive’ trade agenda; and the Defence Policy (Strong, Secure, Engaged). But to date, there has not been a policy document outlining Canada’s feminist foreign policy principles, approach, and commitments.
There is much debate and discussion internationally around what a feminist foreign policy should or could include, just as there are many definitions of feminism. The time is right for a Canadian articulation of this important policy.
In February 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne announced that he would work with civil society to launch a white paper on Canada’s feminist foreign policy by the end of the year. Civil society organizations applauded this announcement and have been looking forward to contributing to the development of the white paper.
Who are we?
The Feminist Foreign Policy Working Group includes: Above Ground, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Amnesty International Canada, The Equality Fund, Equitas, Inter Pares, Mines Action Canada, Oxfam Canada, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and Women, Peace and Security Network Canada.
Written Submissions
- Accessibility For All
- Allison Lau
- AQOCI
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
- Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace and Security (English)
- Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace and Security (French)
- Canadian Federation of University Women
- Canadian Pugwash Group
- CanWaCH
- Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
- Centre for International and Defence Policy, Queen’s University
- Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University
- Coalition for Equitable Land Acquisitions and Development in Africa
- Cooperation Canada (English)
- Cooperation Canada (French)
- Développement international Desjardins
- Dignity Network Canada
- Diversity Institute, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University
- Djenana Jalovcic
- Digital Opportunity Trust
- Equality Fund
- Equal Measures 2030
- Global Centre for Pluralism
- Group of 78
- IM Defensoras
- IMPACT
- Institute for International Women’s Rights – Manitoba
- IPPNW-Canada and Rotarians to Prevent Nuclear War
- Katherine Daly
- Myra Kohler
- Oxfam Canada and Oxfam-Québec
- Paul Maillet Center for Ethics and Peace Services
- Rae Acheson
- Rainbow Railroad
- SOCODEVI
- Sue Godt
- WILPF-Canada
