A Feminist Perspective on European Security & Foreign Policy

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The recent European security and defence discussions, particularly those surrounding the ReArm Europe initiative, fiscal flexibility for defence spending, and France’s nuclear deterrence proposal, reflect a fundamental shift in the EU’s strategic posture. While these measures are framed as necessary responses to geopolitical instability, especially concerning Ukraine, there are significant concerns from a Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) perspective and broader security critiques.

With EU leaders gathering for a special summit on defence and Ukraine, it is crucial to ask: What kind of security does Europe need? And how can Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) provide a more just and sustainable path forward? Our latest policy brief series on Feminist Foreign Policy offers timely insights into how the EU can advance gender-sensitive and sustainable peace agreements in a time of mounting militarisation. This International Women’s Day, let’s push for a security agenda that doesn’t rely on arms races but instead invests in peace, justice, and equality.

We highlight five urgent considerations:

Feminist considerations for EU security and defence: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s call to rearm Europe with massive military spending raises serious concerns. A feminist approach to security urges a shift from militarisation toward human security, conflict prevention, and disarmament. Read more

Reversing cuts to feminist movements: More and more countries slash development aid and eliminate funding for women’s rights. This is illustrated by the US aid cuts putting millions of women and girls at peril, but Europe is facing similar trends, as recently exemplified by the Dutch government’s significant cuts to ODA in support of women and gender equality. The EU must step up to protect funding for feminist organisations, which are essential for addressing global inequalities and ensuring inclusive security. Read more

Learning from Latin America’s Feminist Foreign Policy: While some European FFP governments adopt militarised strategies, Latin American governments like those of Honduras, Colombia, and Mexico place pacifism and justice at the core of their policies. This approach underscores the need to rethink Europe’s engagement strategies beyond militarism. Read more

Placing Feminist Foreign Policy at the heart of EU External Action: As the European Commission prepares to unveil its new Roadmap for Women’s Rights whilst defence policy is at the heart of concerns across the EU, now is the time to integrate feminist principles across all external policies. Read more

Embedding FFP into EU Foresight Practices: Reactive policymaking has hindered the EU’s ability to proactively shape long-term transformations and tackle the underlying causes of crises, including widespread inequality in rights, opportunities and resources. The EU must adopt a feminist lens in its long-term global strategies, ensuring policies prioritise equity, sustainability, and resilience. Read more

All recommendations from the series are synthesised into a single comprehensive document.

Read our full policy series and join the conversation on the future of European foreign policy.