The Rise and Fall of Feminist Foreign Policy: The Political Backlash of Gender in Global Governance

Feminist Foreign Policy has been introduced as a progressive approach to global governance to reflect the gender perspective in diplomacy and international affairs through gender equality and intersectional justice. The policy was initiated by Sweden in 2014, later adopted by Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, and Spain, intentionally using the word “feminist” in the name to get attention and challenge the patriarchal international affairs. However, within a decade, this ambitious policy approach has faced significant political challenges. Sweden’s official withdrawal from FFP in 2022 under a right-leaning government marked a key moment in the global pushback against gender-focused politics. This paper looks at the rise and later rollback of FFP as a clear example of the transnational anti-gender movement’s influence in mainstream political conversations. Drawing on the concepts of femonationalism (Farris 2017), anti-gender politics (Korolczuk and Graff 2018), and the dynamics between movements and counter-movements (Fillieule and Broqua 2020), the paper situates FFP within the broader context of gender conflict, shaped by both progressive and reactionary forces. The study questions how the far right and its supporters have recast feminist foreign policy as an ideological threat. It also explores what this tells us about the shifts in gender politics within global governance. By addressing these questions, the paper argues that the decline of FFP is not just a political shift; it reflects a deeper struggle over the acceptance of "gender" as a standard category in international politics. This analysis focuses on Sweden and Germany to see how domestic political changes, far-right mobilization, and global anti-gender networks come together to challenge feminist diplomacy. Through qualitative document analysis of policy statements, parliamentary debates, and media narratives, the paper shows how right-wing and far-right figures have framed FFP as ideological extremism, moral decline, or "gender indoctrination." It also highlights the contradictory use of feminist language by nationalist groups that claim to defend "real women’s rights" or "family values," showcasing the logic of femonationalism and the racialization of sexism.