In July 2024, Mexico City hosted the third global conference on Feminist Foreign Policy, a key event designed to shape international feminist strategies. This year’s conference, held in a Global South country for the first time, was anticipated to highlight the perspectives of marginalized feminist movements from across the world. However, the event fell short of this goal.
The conference, spanning two and a half days, primarily featured closed-door discussions among diplomats and officials, focusing largely on Latin America and the Caribbean. As a result, critical issues affecting regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia—including discriminatory labor laws, unequal educational opportunities, and harmful traditional practices—were not addressed.
The Afro-feminist movement, a growing force globally, was notably absent from the discussions on Feminist Foreign Policy. This exclusion is indicative of a systemic issue that risks perpetuating Eurocentrism in international relations and undermines Africa’s ability to address transnational challenges and engage effectively in globalization. To ensure that Feminist Foreign Policy serves Africa’s interests, it is crucial to include African voices and Afro-feminist perspectives in these conversations.
The lack of African representation at the conference mirrors a broader misconception within the continent that Feminist Foreign Policy is solely a Global North concern. This misunderstanding affects Africa’s internal relations with international donors, partners, and stakeholders.
For Africa to engage effectively in global affairs, it needs a clear Feminist Foreign Policy framework. The African Union’s recent entry into the G-20 highlights the continent’s growing role in global governance. Under India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023, the formation of the Women’s Empowerment Working Group marks a push from the Global South to integrate gender equality into global development discussions. To be effective, Africa must develop its stance on Feminist Foreign Policy.
An African-centric Feminist Foreign Policy should incorporate African feminist theories and principles, such as those outlined in the African Feminist Charter. This approach should be grounded in human rights frameworks like ubuntu, as articulated in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol. Such a framework would provide a unique perspective, challenging global power imbalances and addressing the continent’s specific needs.
Several challenges hinder the formation of a unified African Feminist Foreign Policy. First, Africa’s diversity—with 54 countries having distinct socio-political contexts—complicates consensus-building. Regional bodies like the East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) could address this by developing region-specific policies that align with broader goals.
Second, resource constraints limit the implementation and advocacy of Feminist Foreign Policies. Many African nations face economic challenges and may prioritize immediate needs over foreign policy initiatives. International partnerships and platforms like the African Union and the G-20’s Women’s Empowerment Working Group are essential for mobilizing resources and integrating feminist principles into development programs.
Finally, there is a historical risk of perpetuating Eurocentrism if Africa does not develop its own Feminist Foreign Policy framework. An Afro-centric approach is needed to ensure policies reflect African women’s lived experiences and priorities. Engaging grassroots and indigenous feminist movements in policy-making and establishing robust monitoring mechanisms will help counter external influence and ensure accountability.
To be a leader in Feminist Foreign Policy, Africa must actively engage in shaping this critical global discourse. By doing so, it can advocate for policies that reflect its unique needs and perspectives, promote inclusivity, and counter rising right-wing ideologies.
