Page 14 - A Gender-Sensitive Indian Foreign Policy- Why? and How?

Indian Council
of World Affairs

of history? Rather, promote these possibilities as assets that can alter the
narrative of the past, and realise the prospects of peace that have hitherto
been so elusive.

Feminists, as I have said earlier, can come from both genders. The important
matter is that we recognize and respect gender equality, the right of women
to be heard, and to make decisions that affect the peace and security of our
homelands, to promote their participation in public life and to expand their
leadership opportunities. The time just came for us to be, as women, smarter
and braver, about what the protection of our interests should be about and
how there is no need to mansplain a feminist foreign policy. We can speak
with the greatest authority on what it means.

These are a few thoughts. I know that our expert panelists will have a lot to
contribute to our discussion this afternoon. I thank the ICWA for inviting me
to participate in this webinar, it is a unique privilege. Thank you so much.

Dr. Ankita Dutta Thank you ma’am, I invite you to moderate the session now. We can move on
(Research Fellow, ICWA) to the first speaker.

Amb. Nirupama Rao All right so our first speaker I presume is Swarna. Am I right, Ankita?
(Chair and Moderator) Can I request Swarna who is speaking to us from Chennai, she is a very

distinguished scholar on gender. I am sure all of us will greatly enjoy
listening to you; I invite you to make your remarks.

Dr. Swarna Good afternoon! Let me start by thanking the Indian Council for World
Rajagopalan (Founder Affairs for inviting me back to be a part of this webinar.
and Managing
Trustee, The Prajnya
Trust, Chennai): As I sat down to write this talk, I realised that perhaps I know very little
about this topic. I know something about foreign policy - traditionally, the
doctrines that diplomats work by and further, that many presume are an
expression of national interest and some account for by other factors. I know
that in the last ten years, some of us, and then some countries have adopted
‘feminist foreign policies.’

In practice, feminist foreign policies have meant that they
will consider human rights absolute and non-negotiable;
that development and humanitarian aid will become a more
important foreign policy instrument, and in both of these, it will
be the advancement of women’s rights and opportunities that will
be prioritised.
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Indian Council of World Affairs An ICWA Conversation