Feminist Foreign Policy and Nepal

Imagine a world where foreign policy is not just about power, influence, or national interest but about people. A world where diplomacy, trade, and international relations are driven by the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all, with a special focus on women and marginalized groups. This is the bold vision of Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP)—a radical shift in how nations interact with each other, challenging centuries-old systems of domination and exploitation. At its core, it reimagines global politics not as a game of geopolitics but as an opportunity to reshape the world into a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate place. It is a policy that dares to ask: what if the strength of a nation was measured not by its military might but by its commitment to human dignity and social progress?

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is the reigning queen of reimagining the future with feminist foreign policy. Despite core party differences, the coalition alliance unanimously supports "appointing more women to international leadership positions by strengthening the rights, resources, and representation of women and girls worldwide."

Germany's commitment to feminist foreign policy is rooted in the belief that foreign policy should prioritize the needs and contributions of marginalized and underrepresented groups, particularly women and girls. In addition to prioritizing human security over national security, it purports to shatter all forms of gender inequality, exclusion, and discrimination that have been taking illicit refuge in global economic and political structures.

Jumping on the wagon are several other countries like France, Luxembourg, Mexico, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, where "feminist diplomacy" is common parlance. France has committed to channeling three-fourths of its official development assistance towards improving gender equality. Mexico aims to achieve full employment parity, equal pay, and the application of a gender lens to every foreign policy position, resolution, and mandate.

Italy’s first female Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been actively advocating women’s rights in humanitarian aid, migration, and peacebuilding under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Germany encompasses an integrated policy of offering accessible entry points to women in internal and external engagement, including peace and security, climate diplomacy, foreign trade and investment, and cultural and public diplomacy. To further propel their implementation process, they also announce the appointment of women ambassadors, shattering the glass ceiling of an erstwhile male-dominated sphere.

Navigating uncharted waters of monopolistic male domination in diplomacy, our very own Bhindaswari Shah emerged victorious. She served as an ambassador to India at a time when Nepal-India relations were strained, but her tactful diplomacy helped iron out the wrinkles.

Her role in international diplomacy intersects with the ambit of feminist foreign policy, encompassing gender equality, the inclusion of women in leadership roles, and the promotion of peaceful foreign relations. Shah worked to position Nepal not merely as a participant in global diplomacy but as an advocate for marginalized and underrepresented women from the Global South.

Parallel to the German Feminist Foreign Policy movement, she pioneered and encouraged the amplification of women’s voices in diplomacy and global decision-making. Although she is no longer with us, she continues to inspire generations, and our deep respect for her can best be expressed by ensuring the fair representation of women in high-level diplomatic roles.

FFP is more relevant today as the world is on the cusp of a New World Order with emerging economies, multipolarity, and shifts in power dynamics. It offers a progressive alternative to the classical approach based on military might, geopolitical rivalry, and environmental crises. Moreover, women’s leadership in diplomacy and peace negotiations can effect socio-economic reformations, counterbalance militarism, address global human rights issues, and achieve inclusive and responsive climate action, ultimately ensuring global health security for a more just and equitable world order.

Like the Butterfly Effect, trifling decisions taken worldwide send massive reverberations elsewhere. The advent of AI, climate change, foreign aid, security, energy, sustainable development, power dynamics, and cyberwarfare has reiterated the significance and sensitivity of handling foreign relations. Factually, placing women at the helm of formulating peace treaties increases the likelihood of these agreements lasting by twenty percent. That being said, there is a pressing need to build up women’s presence in foreign engagements, especially in Nepal.

On average, between 1,500 and 3,000 Nepalis queue up at international airports daily to board flights abroad. To reverse the dwindling demography, the government must devise a fast-track method to immediately engage young graduates directly with the government. It is imperative to draw our government’s attention to the fresh perspectives of younger generations equipped with ample knowledge of law, diplomacy, and international relations. Their deep understanding of modern challenges can provide novel legal frameworks and engagements in multifaceted diplomatic negotiations. By cementing their direct positions in government services, we can rest assured that our policies will be well-informed and coupled with innovative thinking that caters to the evolving demands of the future. In addition, empowered and passionate young professionals can create a conducive environment for a dynamic, adaptable, and forward-thinking government that can maneuver the complexities of the 21st century.

Given the unpredictability of Trumponomics 2.0, the hegemony of bigger nations, the rise of multipolarity, and an overall collapse of traditional forms of governance, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, a readjustment of Nepal’s foreign policy is imperative. Precariously perched atop a crumbling Old World Order and an embryonic new one, we must tread our path in foreign relations more cautiously. Nepal should simultaneously study practical solutions to the twin problems of geopolitics and geo-economics.

Since our relationship with the Elephant and the Dragon hinges upon that of the Trump administration, we must adopt an "equi-closeness" approach in place of "equi-distance." Moreover, we should view Washington as "another neighbor" and focus on revitalizing our bilateral ties.

Similarly, with repetitive DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and MAGA (Make America Great Again) rhetoric, a domino effect is imminent upon Nepal, beginning with the upending of USAID programs and development cooperation funds, among others. However, if the "Tariff Man" imposes a spike in tariffs on imports from burgeoning economies, Nepal could practically substitute as a key exporter in such contingencies. Therefore, Nepal must strive for adaptable and practical policies within the national framework that foster investments from MNCs and rapid industrial production.

The "New" in the nascent New World Order should be directed towards achieving a novel standard of security, including the proportionate representation of women in global engagements. Steering clear of conventional approaches to conflict as a zero-sum game and political one-upmanship, FFP lends a fresh perspective to global governance.

The takeaway is that a new wave of Feminist Foreign Policy is sweeping the world, and Nepal should ride the wave. Much akin to "realpolitik" is "real feminism" and the concept of "feminist diplomacy," which seeks to strengthen the collective voice and lived experiences of women in international diplomacy. As women make up half the population of our society and the world, young talents from universities need representation through direct governmental recruitment to attain more just, equitable, and secure foreign engagements in the world.