How can we unite, act and resist together in defense of gender equality, when the rights of women and girls are constantly called into question around the world?
This is the central question of the fourth Ministerial Conference on Feminist Diplomacies that France will host on October 22 and 23, 2025. This conference will bring together countries from all regions of the world, representatives of international organizations, as well as civil society. Since 2019, France has promoted feminist diplomacy and made gender equality and women’s rights a cross-cutting priority of its external action.
On March 7, 2025, France presented its International Strategy for Feminist Diplomacy. France has made defending women’s and girls’ rights and gender equality a strategic and geopolitical issue to build fair, inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies. Studies show that women’s participation in negotiation processes increases the likelihood of a process being sustainable by 35%. Likewise, policies that fully integrate gender equality make it possible to combat global warming more effectively, stimulate growth and strengthen the resilience of our societies.
Far from being an incantation, this feminist diplomacy translates into concrete policies and solid partnerships. France’s feminist diplomacy implements emblematic initiatives. This is the case of the Feminist Organizations Support Fund, launched in 2020, which has already benefited more than 1,400 organizations in 75 countries. Another example is the Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online, created in 2024. It is the first international platform for exchanging and incubating projects against gender-based violence in the digital environment.
While gender inequalities persist, much remains to be done
Despite these initiatives and the progress made by the international community, there is still much to be done. At the current rate, according to UN Women, it would take around 300 years to achieve real equality in the world.
Even today, gender inequalities persist and even worsen. Conflict-related sexual violence has increased in recent years. In too many countries, millions of women are deprived of the fundamental right to dispose of their bodies: 193 million women only have access to abortion when their life is in danger and 142 million do not have access under any circumstances. Everywhere where crises shake the social fabric, in Afghanistan, Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, it is first and foremost women’s rights that are most harmed.
A high-level Conference to reaffirm our collective determination and ambition
In an international context marked by a significant reduction in funding dedicated to these actions and the strengthening of anti-rights movements, the fourth Ministerial Conference of Feminist Diplomacies will reaffirm our common determination to defend and promote women’s rights and gender equality, without accepting any setback. Together, we will continue to act.
The post For feminist diplomacy: let us accelerate international mobilization appeared first on Veritas News.
