Dimensions of Feminist Foreign Policy

As mentioned in the commentary, Nepal's geopolitical limitations and risks are still relevant in the later stages of the resurgence of India and China. But the scope of our risks and insecurities is not limited to geopolitics and borders. A country's internal and external policies should complement each other. If we look at the context of Nepal, this 'Tarul' mentality has guided our foreign policy without any exception. Even though there have been many changes in the political landscape of Nepal in the last few decades, the foreign policy of Nepal has not been able to encompass the vision of a new society based on equality, inclusiveness and diversity and a progressive identity and essential approach. New and creative ways are needed to address our insecurities and new sources of challenges.

In the early 1950s, with the adoption of a democratic system, Nepal started diplomatic relations with neighboring and major states. In 2020, Nepal has adopted a new policy named Integrated Foreign Policy Approach, which seeks to include all its external policies in the internal policy agenda. Integrated Foreign Policy 2020 has initiated a new debate and discussion, which is broader than the traditional foreign policy approach. The ongoing issues of economic development and sustainable peace building are key features of this policy. This document reflects that international relations, human rights, democracy, justice in the rule of law, transparency, accountability are the guidelines of Nepal's foreign policy. According to the principle of feminist foreign policy, point number 14 of this document mentions - "Protection of environment and human security." Here, Nepal's foreign policy is ready for constructive interaction with feminist foreign policy.

The restructuring of the state after ten years of armed war with the large participation of women has prioritized gender equality in the constitution. It is stated in the constitution - 'The political objective of the state will be to strengthen the federal democratic republican system to ensure the environment for the exercise of democratic rights by considering the sovereignty, independence and integrity of the country as important, protecting freedom, equality, property and all citizens through the rule of law, fundamental rights and human rights, gender equality , embracing the principles and values ​​of proportional inclusion.. (p. 30).' Surprisingly, these beliefs have been completely ignored in the field of Nepal's foreign policy. Even if we look at the gender and caste structure of Nepal's diplomatic body, it is against the spirit of inclusive constitution.

If you look at the statistics of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is a significant gender imbalance in the field of diplomatic and foreign affairs, where there are only 64 women compared to 245 male officers. Although Nepal recently got its first female foreign secretary and fourth female foreign minister, looking at the statistics, it seems that women's representation in this important field is limited. Ethnic, class and regional representation has not been in accordance with the concept of inclusiveness. Therefore, it undermines the overall ambition set out in the latest commitment to establish a national identity based on human rights, gender equality and proportional inclusion.

Even the general extension of domestic policy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fulfills the basic proposition of a feminist foreign policy. As Nepal's commitment to gender equality continues, adopting a feminist foreign policy does not require a major revolutionary step. In Nepal's foreign policy, the foundation of the theory of feminist foreign policy has been laid for a long time. In order to lay its foundations, Nepal has committed to many treaties/conventions such as UN Security Council Declaration 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Seda, Beijing Platform for Action. For Nepal, gender equality can serve as a tool to strengthen internal and external policies.

After the armed war, Nepal has established a federal republic as a new political structure. Its aim is to decentralize government, where citizens are active participants rather than passive recipients. It helps to coordinate the national, provincial and local governments to run the country in a common and autonomous manner. Although this system of governance is implemented at the internal level of the country, the foreign policy has failed to follow it. A key element of feminist foreign policy is human security. Likewise, the document of the integrated foreign policy also considers human security as the main theoretical element of the foreign policy. This approach can help us focus on real challenges such as climate change, epidemics, migration, domestic violence and adopt innovative measures to build a society where all citizens can meet their basic needs.

Nepal's foreign policy is based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and Panchsheel, which is a shared commitment to international law and the recognition of world peace. A feminist foreign policy provides Nepal with an additional platform and dynamic goal for meaningful engagement and engagement with the world. This gives energy to a country like Nepal, which has a proud history of progressive political struggle on issues like peace, equality, inclusiveness and justice, to institutionalize and sustain these issues.