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 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 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.