Reflections from the 4th Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy
The 4th Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP), hosted by France, took place in Paris, 22nd and 23rd of October, 2025. While these gatherings are moments of celebration, they are also critical junctures for reflection on the state of our field.
First things first: it is always invigorating to be surrounded by so many feminist allies. We extend our sincere gratitude to the French government for convening this space and congratulate them on the new policy document launched this week. Equally, we commend French and international civil society for convening an excellent, intersectional forum and numerous side events that successfully centred the perspectives of feminists from the Global Majority world.
As we digest the discussions from the past few days, here are our key takeaways—both the glimmers of hope and the structural challenges that remain.
The Wins: Accountability and Intersectionality
It was encouraging to see programme space explicitly dedicated to vital, often contested areas. The Conference highlighted the importance of research, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), peace and security, the future of multilateralism, and financing for feminist organisations.
A historic milestone was achieved with 31 countries signing a political declaration with commitments offering a framework of accountability. Achieving this at a feminist foreign policy conference is a first and is to be celebrated.
You can view the political declaration and commitments here.
Moving Beyond the "Reflex": Analyzing Anti-Gender Pushback
It is good to see more officials recognizing anti-gender pushback. However, the conversation often feels like a reflex—as if we are discussing an abstract weather event that has simply befallen us.
To meaningfully respond, we must look at the problem broadly and systemically.
We deeply appreciated the recognition in the first plenary that the rise of anti-gender resistance is, at least in part, due to the failure of neoliberal policies. This is a crucial reminder: governments in the Global North are complicit in fostering a multilateral environment that opened up space for what can only be described as a hostile takeover by anti-gender actors.
This environment was created by:
Focusing heavily on civil and political rights while dismissing economic and social rights.
Allowing gender equality to be treated as a bargaining chip.
Operating on a flawed assumption of linear progress.
The Realpolitik Trap
To defend and advance gender equality, we cannot keep limiting feminist approaches to "gender spaces" while applying cold realpolitik logic to other multilateral arenas.
Facing unprecedented budget cuts and the looming UN80 reform process, we need clear priorities and uncompromising values. We must adopt pragmatic approaches and refuse to be siloed. This is essential if we hope to defend the international legal order and (re)build trust between member states and civil society.
The Glaring Omission: Money
Glaring in its omission at the conference was the topic of money.
To speak of supporting the key role of civil society without speaking of resourcing—especially on the heels of FFD4 (Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development) and numerous conversations at this very conference about financing—is part of the problem.
Let us be clear: The obstacles in front of civil society are not merely administrative; they are existential.
A Call for Transformation
Civil society is very clear on what it would take for feminist foreign policies to be truly transformative. For those who haven’t seen it, we urge you to read the civil society call supported by over 150 organisations.
That these spaces exist is a glimmer of hope. To be able to participate in them is a privilege. But to continue holding them accountable, and pushing them to do better, is our reason for being.
