Feminism

In an age marked by rising authoritarianism and anti-gender backlash, feminist peace in the Western Balkans stands as both an act of resistance and a re-imagining of security itself. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda needs to be reviewed.

Twenty-five years after its creation, the Women, Peace and Security agenda sounds hollow in the Arab World. Our author argues for radical action – to finally place women at the helm of the institutions that claim to champion them.

In March 2025, the world marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action during the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Halyna Kotliuk and Anna Antonina Lysiak provide an analytical reflection on the key themes discussed in New York — from women’s political participation and rising transnational conservatism to gender-based violence, child marriage, and the exclusion of demining from gender policies. Ukraine’s voice was heard internationally, showcasing both progress and challenges in the context of war.

Eleven outstanding feminists from around the world, who where selected as 2025 Feminist Foreign and Development Policy Fellows, participated in the 69th Commission on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters. Here they share their main considerations.

The rise of the far-right movement and recent shifts in global politics have led to significant cuts in foreign development assistance. What are the impacts on feminist and civil society organizations?

In 2023, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office and its Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development published guidelines for a feminist foreign and development policy. Political headwinds, however, are jeopardising the implementation of the concepts.

Because of an overwhelming response we had to close the call for applications early. Thank you for your understanding.

With the European Parliament elections taking place between on 6-9 June 2024, the European Union stands at a defining moment. The 2019-2024 term witnessed the breakthrough of long-stagnant gender initiatives, but challenges loom large in advancing gender equality in the EU. This article explores the prospects for the policy directions that will shape the gender equality agenda of the next European Parliament and Commission in this context.