Should South Africa Embrace a Feminist Foreign Policy to Respond to Gender Inequality?

Abstract

This qualitative study seeks to critically examine whether South Africa can adopt a Feminist
Foreign Policy (FFP) that speaks against biphobia, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, inequality,
and patriarchy. The authors argue that South Africa should consider adopting a feminist foreign
policy that is gender inclusive of women, children, and gender non-conforming persons. Currently,
South Africa does not describe its policy as feminist but rather as having women on the foreign
policy agenda, i.e., women’s representation in parliament. We argue that the state has failed to
oppose all forms of gender dominance and oppression. During the second Presidential Summit
on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in November 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa
reiterated GBVF as the first pandemic in SA, as we continuously see the increase of rape and
murders against women, children, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex
(LGBTI) community. This study, therefore, sought to critically unpack the possibility of a safe
and inclusive South Africa for women, children and gender non-conforming persons through the
adoption and implementation of a feminist foreign policy. The first country that implemented
the feminist foreign policy was Sweden. The goal of Sweden’s policy implementation in 2014 was
to address the country’s gender disparity issues, and as a result, they also sought to consider
all gender perspectives in all policy creation and decision-making. The researchers reflect on
Sweden’s foreign policy from a feminist perspective as possible lessons for South Africa and
attempt to clarify South Africa’s position with regard to gender emancipation and whether this
could serve as a platform to implement a feminist foreign policy.