Feminist approach
Feminist approach to international relations
The Scottish Government is determined to be a good global citizen, making a constructive contribution to addressing global challenges and achieving fairer outcomes. We want to use our voice on the international scene to push for a fairer world.
This is why we have adopted a feminist approach to international relations. We want all of Scotland’s international policy to advance gender equality and the rights of women, girls and marginalised groups in pursuit of a fairer world.
We published our position paper on taking a feminist approach to international relations in in November, 2023. This sets out our overall approach including guiding principles and the scope of our policy.
Background
In the 2021-2022 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring its policies and actions abroad are consistent with our focus on fairness and inclusion at home. This included a commitment to our international work reflecting a feminist approach to policymaking.
As part of developing a feminist approach to our international engagement, we have been committed to learning from and listening to others. This includes carrying out a wide ranging programme of engagement with experts through experience, academics, community and third sector organisations, among others, including contributors from the Global South.
We have published a range of documents throughout the policy development process:
- a report summarising key findings from an initial phase of stakeholder engagement involving interviews with individuals with knowledge of and experience in the field of feminist international relations (November 2022)
- a background note setting the scene ahead of the next phase of stakeholder engagement to define and shape the Scottish Government’s feminist approach (November 2022)
- an independent evidence report summarising the views of international and domestic stakeholders on what a feminist approach should entail for the Scottish Government (June 2023)
- a position paper setting out the scope and guiding principles of our feminist approach to international relations (November 2023)
While foreign policy remains the responsibility of the UK government, we have a proud record of engaging internationally in Scotland’s interests within current constitutional arrangements. There is a clear role for us to make a constructive contribution to addressing global challenges. International affairs also impact on achieving domestic objectives. Through our international work, we seek to reduce gender and other inequalities at home and overseas.
Contact
Email: Laura MacLaughlin, Senior Policy Adviser, laura.maclaughlin@gov.scot