(Information source: The Gender Security Project)
Since 2014, 12 countries have adopted Feminist Foreign Policies. However, a lot more needs to be done in prioritizing feminism in feminist foreign policies. While some countries focused on providing aid, some chose to add women and stir. Instead of choosing to engage with feminist values and focusing on intersectionality and peace, these policies continued to normalize “feminism-lite” agendas. In reality, women and non-binary people in the global south have been “doing” feminist foreign policy for generations now. Movements ranging from resisting colonialism to practicing food sovereignty, from inclusive lawmaking to deploying international law in pushing for their rights – the wealth of knowledge embodied in praxis in the majority world must be centered.
As a new field, Feminist Foreign Policies have been the site of much experimentation and there have been sites of discussion and conversation around what it might entail. The gap in knowledge overall also coexists alongside the fact that the majority world has been the site of several examples of Feminist Foreign Policies – but the general notion of not seeing this part of the world as knowledge producers has prevented much of this knowledge from being centered as a norm.
This course recognizes and tries to address these gaps and takes a deep dive into the field to build strong understandings of Feminist Foreign Policy as a concept. It offers a comprehensive overview of feminist foreign policies as they exist, presents the building blocks of such policies, and presents lessons from rich examples from the majority world.
Talking about the program, Founder The Gender Security Project, Kirthi Jayakumar said: “”I’m really excited for this program because it’s a product of eight years of observing, learning, making notes, and unlearning, too. I am particularly moved by the response – to see people consider the subject of value in itself, and then to want to take a deep dive into the field is so rewarding. I look forward to learning from everyone who participates, too!”
Course Outline
The course will be offered online via Zoom, over Four Saturdays, and will run in June and September 2023. The dates and timings are as follows:
June 3 / 10 / 17 / 24, 2023 | 15:00 – 17:00 hours IST [Five slots left]
June 4/ 11/ 18/ 25, 2023 | 15:00 – 17:00 hours IST
August 5/ 12/ 19/ 26, 2023 | 15:00 – 17:00 hours IST
September 9 / 16 / 23 / 30, 2023 | 15:00 – 17:00 hours IST
Deadline for application: May 25 (June Intakes); July 15 (August Intake); August 25 (September Intake)
Cost: Rs. 4,000 (If you are unable to afford this fee, email at info@gendersecurityproject.com)
Session 1
Defining a Feminist Foreign Policy
Session 2
Gender, Power, and The State
Session 3
Whose Feminism? Building Blocks of a Feminist Foreign Policy
Session 4
Case Studies: Stories from the Majority World
Photo by Hanna Zhyhar on Unsplash
