Author: REWiB

Feminist foreign policy has become a global discourse and practice that aims to create a more equitable and just world for all. It challenges traditional power structures, promotes gender equality, and centres marginalized communities social and economic well-being. But what does it mean for Africa, a continent that has historically been robbed of agency within the domain of foreign policy?

Feminist foreign policy is gaining traction worldwide, with twelve countries having developed FFP, including two in Africa. However, the definition of FFP lacks the key elements of feminist principles that focus on interrogating power relations, rights, and intersectionality. Moreover, knowledge production on FFP has been dominated by the global North, while civil society organizations lead discussions on FFP.

Researchers without Borders in collaboration with Women`s International Peace Centre, African Feminism and FEMNET organized a webinar on March 7th, 2022, to explore feminist foreign policies (FFP) from an African feminist perspective. The objective of the webinar was to identify existing African knowledge on FFP and ensure that more intersectional gender justice work and anti-imperial approaches are incorporated.

The webinar explored how power imbalances are addressed within FFP and whether FFP can address human rights violations and ensure intersectional approaches to gender equality and women`s empowerment. The event also discussed how African feminists can influence policies more proactively and hold countries accountable for them.

Prof Toni Haastrup, a leading scholar in feminist foreign policy, argued that African knowledge on feminist foreign policy is critical in challenging ongoing coloniality and navigating a world where feminist foreign policies are proliferating but also facing strong backlash. African states and Africans are often excluded from the knowledge production on foreign policy, dominated by the West. However, African feminists have been thinking and theorizing about foreign policy, proposing a decolonial way of thinking that prioritizes African agency in determining their future within the international system.

But what impact does feminist foreign policy have on gender justice and transformation in Africa? According to Rosebell Kagumire, an African feminist activist and journalist, feminist foreign policy must go beyond the basic idea of gender equality and consider the complex mix of issues that African people must contend with daily. The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased militarization of the continent have highlighted the importance of global health security, the climate crisis, and migration policies, which are pressing concerns for African feminists.

Feminist foreign policy must uphold anti-imperial and anti-colonial policies that prioritize marginalized people, uphold racial justice, and ensure decolonization. African feminist movements must have agency and autonomy in shaping their own quest for liberation and freedom, and Western foreign policy should not be presented as a savior or the only solution to African issues. Instead, feminist foreign policy should be rooted in the protection of the rights of all people, including those of marginalized groups, and challenge existing power structures that perpetuate inequality and oppression.

Memory Kachambwa emphasized the need for African feminist movements to unite and explore the meaning of feminist foreign policy in the context of their history. She noted that African feminists have not had their contributions to foreign policy recorded, and therefore they must document their experiences as African feminists.

“The notion that feminist foreign policy is not African should be rejected, “ Kachambwa said. “African feminists should own feminist foreign policy and document their experiences to create their narratives. “

Foreign policy has traditionally been based on a capitalist and extractive model. However, African feminists can use the African feminist Charter and the Maputo Protocol as tangible tools to ensure that feminist principles are operationalized. African feminists should position themselves as innovators in the framing of feminist foreign policy, not just recipients, as they have been at the forefront of foreign policy in areas such as women, peace, and security.

South Sudan has taken a significant step towards upholding human rights by acceding to four international conventions and passing crucial legislations into law. Among the Conventions are the Protocol to The African Charter on Human and Peoples` Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), which will significantly impact women`s rights and peace and security in the country. By ratifying the protocol, South Sudan has joined other African countries in committing to promoting gender equality and ending discrimination against women.

The Maputo Protocol, which was adopted in 2003, is a human rights instrument aimed at protecting and promoting women`s rights in Africa. It contains provisions that address a wide range of issues, including gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and access to education and healthcare. By acceding to the protocol, South Sudan has committed to implementing these provisions and ensuring that women`s rights are respected and protected.

The Maputo Protocol is particularly crucial for South Sudan, where women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict and have faced numerous challenges in the wake of years of instability. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one in three women in South Sudan has experienced gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault.

Women are also often excluded from decision-making peace and political processes despite the provision for 35% women`s participation in governance processes in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The implementation of the protocol will help to address these issues and promote gender equality in the country.The Maputo Protocol recognizes the important role that women play in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding, and calls for their full and equal participation in all aspects of peace and security.

By acceding to the protocol, South Sudan has committed to aligning its laws and policies with the provisions of the protocol and promoting women`s meaningful participation in peace and security processes. Data from the International Peace Institute shows that women`s participation in peace negotiations increases the likelihood of a successful agreement by 20%. Women`s participation in peacebuilding processes has also been shown to lead to more sustainable and inclusive peace outcomes.

The ratification of the Maputo Protocol is also an important step towards ensuring the protection of women from all forms of violence. The protocol calls for the protection of women`s rights during armed conflict, including measures to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and ensure access to justice and support for survivors. This calls for the urgent establishment of the Hybrid Court to ensure all victims of conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan obtain justice

To consolidate this progress, it is crucial for South Sudan to expedite the constitution-making process to ensure that citizens have a say in shaping the country`s future. This process should be inclusive and participatory, particularly for women. The establishment of other key bodies, such as the Political Parties Council and the Reconstituted National Constitutional Review Commission, is also essential to pave the way for peaceful and democratic elections.

The move by South Sudan has been praised by the international community, with the African Union Peace and Security Council commending the country`s efforts to uphold human rights. However, there is still much work to be done to consolidate peace and stability in the country. The humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, with millions of people in need of urgent assistance. Humanitarian actors are working tirelessly to reach those in need, but ongoing conflict and attacks against humanitarian personnel and assets are making their work increasingly difficult.

There are also concerns about ongoing sub-national conflicts in certain parts of the country, which threaten to undermine the progress that has been made towards peace and stability. These include inter-ethnic violence in Jonglei state, clashes between government forces and armed groups in Western Equatoria state, fighting between government forces and opposition groups in Unity state, and inter-communal violence in Lakes[6] state. The government must take concerted action to address the root causes of these conflicts and strengthen security institutions and accountability structures to ensure the safety and justice of all citizens.

To achieve lasting peace and stability in South Sudan, the government must continue to uphold human rights and the rule of law. The country must continue to make progress towards implementing the provisions of the Maputo Protocol and other international conventions, while also implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement.