Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Majid Rouhi

Associate Professor, Department of Political Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Achieving foreign policy objectives has historically relied on a range of instruments. They are commonly categorized into three types: diplomatic, military, and economic. In recent years, however, a new concept known as feminist foreign policy (FFP) has been introduced into this repertoire. This approach is generally understood as emphasizing the promotion of gender equality and increasing the effectiveness and representation of women and marginalized groups in foreign policy decision‑making processes. Recent scholarship suggests that Western policymakers and analysts increasingly employ gender as an analytical level to better understand power dynamics within authoritarian regimes. Proponents of this perspective argue that rebalancing historically entrenched structures of power through gender-sensitive constructs can generate deep changes in both the domestic and foreign policies of countries such as Iran, Russia, and China.
The present study aimed to examine and explain the concept of FFP from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The research questions are as follows: First, how can FFP be conceptualized and explained from a theoretical perspective? Second, what are the core instruments, tactics, and practical objectives underpinning FFP, and in what ways do these align with the strategic interests of Western states? Finally, how can the approaches and objectives of European and American FFP toward the Islamic Republic of Iran be identified, and what are the resulting political–theoretical implications and consequences of such policies?
Literature Review
A notable study in the field of FFP is Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and in Practice: An Introduction (Foster and Markham, 2023. This study examines how feminist approaches to foreign, development, and trade policy are implemented by governments at both multilateral and national levels. Vernon (2022), in the article “Sexuality, Gender, and Colonial Violence of Humanitarian Intervention,” addressed this issue by arguing that gender functions as a normative framework underpinning humanitarian interventions. In “Iran Is No Litmus Test for Germany’s Feminist Foreign Policy,” Parkes et al. (2023) contend that the protests and unrest in Iran in 2022 may signal the potential for structural transformations that could emerge from a feminist revolution, and they call for the adoption of a more assertive and proactive German approach in this regard. Moreover, Adebahr and Mittelhammer dedicated a series of reports and articles to the significance of adopting an FFP toward Iran. For instance, in the 2020 paper titled “A Feminist Foreign Policy to Counter Iran: Assessing EU Options,” they argue that—based on a revised understanding of Iran’s power structures—the European Union should articulate a more comprehensive and inclusive conception of security and national interests.
Materials and Methods
The current research employed a qualitative methodology and an approach rooted in foresight analysis. It qualitatively examined Western policies toward Iran by drawing on policy documents, official statements, analytical reports, and relevant scholarly literature. It then identified the operative components of these policies—their instruments, tactics, and objectives—and evaluated both their practical performance and their broader political–theoretical implications.
Results and Discussion
On 2 December 2014, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström became the first to introduce FFP as a concrete initiative aimed at advancing gender equality. In the years that followed, several countries announced their intention to adopt the principles of FFP. This approach refers to a public policy framework in which interactions with other states, movements, and non-state actors are shaped by priorities such as peace, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. It seeks to challenge and transform colonial, racist, and patriarchal power structures. Advocates contend that implementing feminist foreign policies and articulating a coherent political framework grounded in gender-sensitive strategies can facilitate inter-state alliances and help bring about meaningful changes in national foreign policy.
A broadened conception of security, a critical examination of power relations, and the recognition of women’s political agency in foreign policy and diplomacy constitute the three core elements that define the transformed character of the FFP approach. The feminist approach to foreign policy pursues key objectives such as promoting substantive social and political change within authoritarian regimes. It aims to address longstanding imbalances in power structures and resolve international disputes and conflicts with revisionist states. Gender-sensitive foreign policy foregrounds gender constructs and redefines dichotomies such as feminine/masculine, weak/strong, and rational/emotional.  It seeks to examine power dynamics embedded in these dichotomies within and between states, viewing them as significant factors shaping international relations and policies.
Following the upheavals and unrest in Iran in 2022, the European Union noted that changes in Iran could be driven by a feminist revolution, thus emphasizing the pivotal role of gender and women in shaping its policy choice. In the United States, some analysts began to advocate shifting away from a maximum‑pressure strategy toward a feminist approach to Iran. The FFP approach seeks to address the root causes of conflict and violence and to advance a more comprehensive understanding of security. Its central objective is to transform policymaking and international engagement over the long term by incorporating diverse voices and prioritizing human security. When applying a feminist lens to European and U.S. policy toward Iran, primary attention is directed toward documenting and responding to widespread human rights concerns. In addition, such an analysis tends to examine and evaluate the impact of Iran’s policies and measures on marginalized groups and minorities, including Kurds, Baluchs, Baha’is, Afghan refugees, and other vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
The current analysis examined FFP as an innovative instrument for advancing foreign policy objectives. It tried to delineate the assumptions and principles of FFP, evaluate the approaches of various countries in this regard, and assess both the general and case-specific objectives of FFP in relation to Iran. The findings indicate that the feminist approach seeks to decode power structures and enhance women’s representation in politics. Rather than privileging state-centric conceptions of security, it emphasizes human security and aspires to foster greater peace and stability in the international system by incorporating female voices into foreign policy and diplomacy. The approach also extends to issues of nuclear policy and disarmament, highlighting its relevance to security governance across multiple levels. FFP can yield deeper understanding of Western policies toward Russia, China, and particularly Iran. The gender-sensitive logic underpinning Western policy toward Iran—especially in the aftermath of the events of 2022—provides notable explanatory insight into policy choices and discourses. Moreover, FFP functions as a strategic narrative that aligns with and advances Western norms as opposed to traditionalist paradigms. Thus, the West tends to rely on FFP to advance its hegemonic neoliberal order and discourse.

Keywords

• Iran
• The West
• Feminist Foreign Policy
• Gender Constructs
• Feminist Revolution

Main Subjects

• Political Science