Towards a Meaningful Change: Gendered Foreign Policy in Practice
Save the date for the online conference "Towards a Meaningful Change: Gendered Foreign Policy in Practice" under the auspices of the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček.
4. 12. 2020 (10:00)
Language: English ONLINE
The Czech Republic embraces international gender norms, but the path from formal approval to gender sensitive foreign policy is rather complex and complicated. This conference focuses on “the day after”, namely on the everyday and institutional aspects of advancing gender norms in practice, while it is also reflecting on the contemporary challenges of the global backlash on women’s rights and the gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. What mechanisms, setups, or procedures can contribute towards a meaningful and visible change in the practice of foreign policy? The conference will be launched with a series of high-level political and scholarly interventions. In the following panel discussions, distinguished speakers from around the world will offer diverse perspectives on the issues of the advancement of the women, peace and security agenda, women’s empowerment and gender equality in development cooperation, and the international dimension of tackling gender-based violence and supporting sexual and reproductive rights. Far from treating gender and women’s rights as a nuisance, we invite you to register to the conference and submit your written or video enquiry to our distinguished quests.
Day 1 04/12/2020
Opening Remarks
A Keynote Speech
Gender Patterns in Ministries of Foreign Affairs: An Uphill Battle
Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
The UN SC Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, led to an unprecedented global spread of gender equality policies in the area of peace and security involving a total of 86 National Action Plans (NAPs) worldwide, including the Czech one. Yet, the 20th anniversary of the resolution is being overshadowed by a global backlash on women’s rights and the continuous lack of implementation of the resolution as well as the gendered implications of the global Covid-19 pandemics. This international panel brings together policy makers, academics and members of civil society with various backgrounds and experiences to debate the possible pathways for advancing the WPS agenda towards meaningful changes on the ground.
Women’s empowerment and gender equality in the practice of development cooperation: Who does what and how do we measure it?
Gender equality and women’s empowerment have long been established as norms of international development cooperation. While it is relatively easy to embrace these norms in official documents, it is not nearly as easy to put these norms into practice. This panel will inquire into what it means to work towards women’s empowerment and gender equality in the complex environment of contemporary international development.
From empowerment to development: Exploring the link between the fight against gender-based violence, support for sexual and reproductive rights, health, and demographic transition in foreign policy
The viral spread of the #MeToo movement has helped to break the silence over gender-based violence and empower women and girls to affirm the respect for their bodies. Yet at the same time there is a global backlash on sexual and reproductive rights with profound consequences not only for women’s freedom, but also for the health and well-being of entire populations worldwide, which are further exacerbated by the pandemic. Indeed, there is an undeniable, yet controversial nexus between population growth and poor performance on other development indicators. This panel will explore the full length of this link between women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Speech
Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
Women’s empowerment and gender equality in the practice of development cooperation
From empowerment to development
Speakers
Auspice
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
