One year after the German government presented its strategies for a feminist foreign and development policy, the development cooperation organisation Misereor and the Catholic German Women's Association (KDFB) have taken stock: it was important that the development and foreign ministries placed a stronger focus on women and girls and thus paved the way for greater gender equality. However, the feminist approach should not be limited to the development and foreign ministries alone, according to the two organisations.

"In order to have an impact, feminist policies must be implemented across all ministries and be taken up by the Ministry of Economics and Finance in particular," demands Barbara Schirmel, Misereor expert for gender and diversity. "Women make up half of the world's population. At the same time, they are particularly affected by poverty. Their work is often underpaid or unpaid; they are structurally disadvantaged in global value chains. Women's rights should therefore also be a central pillar of German economic policy. A European supply chain law that creates better working conditions and fair wages worldwide, e.g. for seamstresses in Bangladesh, would be a significant step towards sustainable development. We are therefore appealing to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to prevent the law from failing in the EU Council."

In addition, the government has decided to almost halve contributions to the World Food Programme in the coming year. "Women and children are particularly affected by this," says Barbara Schirmel. This thwarts the claims of a feminist foreign and development policy.

Focus on women in crisis and conflict situations

Monika Arzberger, Vice President of the KDFB, emphasises the important role of women in crisis and conflict situations: "Women and girls are particularly affected by crises, war and violence. At the same time, they are often the ones who cope with everyday life in conflict situations, care for relatives and work towards peaceful conflict resolution." German policymakers must therefore work even more resolutely across ministries to implement UN Resolution 1325 with the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda in order to combat gender-based violence in crisis situations and involve women on an equal footing in security and peace efforts. "When women are involved in negotiations, peace is more sustainable and fairer," said Arzberger.

It remains to be seen how the German government intends to safeguard its concept of feminist foreign and development policy beyond the current legislative period. "We hope and are committed to ensuring that it can be established in the long term and is also backed up with appropriate financial resources," explain the two organisations.

Event notice:

On 6 March 2024, 18:00 - 19:30, the KDFB and Misereor are hosting the online podium "With women to peace - one year of feminist development policy".

Speakers will be:

• Jonas Lucas | Feminist Development Policy Division, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
• Rola al-Rukabi (Lebanon), Women Now For Development
• Dr Monika Arzberger, KDFB Vice President
• Barbara Schirmel, Misereor expert for gender and diversity

Editorial offices are cordially invited.