Ethics & International Affairs Volume 30.3 (Fall 2016): Swedish Feminist Foreign Policy in the Making: Ethics Politics and Gender

Sep 14, 2016

By Karin Aggestram and Annika Bergman-Rosamond

In 2015 the world’s first self-defined feminist government was formed in Sweden. As part of that ambitious declaration, Sweden also became the first state ever to publicly adopt a feminist foreign policy, with a stated ambition to become the "strongest voice for gender equality and full employment of human rights for all women and girls." To be sure, launching a feminist foreign policy is a radical policy change. At the same time, this policy is embedded in the broader global efforts to promote gender equality in the international arena, which we have seen evolving over the past few decades in the aftermath of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The resolution "reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security."

To read this essay in full, please click here.

You may also like

SEP 28, 2026 • Video

Listening to Conflict: Human Experience of War

With the rise of cyber and hybrid warfare, what's been lost in ethical thinking about conflict? Access this "Ethics Empowered: Leadership in Practice" recording.

Western Hemisphere. CREDIT: CLUC/Adobe.stock.com

SEP 23, 2026 • Report

A New National Security Architecture: An Economic Security & Strategic Investment Framework for the Western Hemisphere

This report from the second CEF cohort provides an economic security framework for the U.S. and globally demonstrating accountability and democratic governance.

SEP 18, 2026 • Podcast

A New Breed of American Oligarch

Casey Michel examines how concentrated wealth is reshaping American democracy and foreign policy, and the consequences when private interests take precedence over the public good.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation