Response to interpellation 2024/25:615 on gender equality in foreign policy during 2025
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
M believes that equality is a Swedish core value where the content of foreign policy is what counts rather than labels 1. M emphasizes that Sweden is an important donor of aid for equality work and that the government has taken on the presidency of UN Women to exert strategic influence 1 2. M argues that the focus should be on strengthening women's economic empowerment and that the presidency of UN Women is important content 3 4. S argues that the government, through the abolition of the feminist foreign policy, has lowered ambitions and that equality initiatives in aid have reached the lowest level in 25 years 5 6. S wants to reintroduce the ambassador for global equality and build international partnerships against the anti-gender movement 6. S argues that the feminist foreign policy was a promise that made a real difference and that its removal is a historical mistake with bad timing 7 8.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Mr. Speaker! Linnéa Wickman has asked me which concrete foreign policy initiatives, measures, or priorities I intend to implement or have already implemented during 2025 linked to the promise that equality shall be particularly noticeable in foreign policy during the year. Linnéa Wickman has also asked what results the government's priorities linked to equality within foreign policy have yielded so far during 2025, how Sweden intends to contribute to UN Women's work in the long term, as well as what consequences I assess a reduced Swedish commitment and financial support after 2025 would have for our international credibility in the area of equality. Finally, Linnéa Wickman has asked whether the government intends to reassess the decision to abolish the feminist foreign policy.
Since the government took office, we have been crystal clear that equality is a Swedish core value. In an increasingly turbulent world, my government continues to stand up for the rules-based world order and for all women and girls' full enjoyment of human rights. As Foreign Minister, it is a matter of course for me to include equality in my bilateral and multilateral talks.
We are in the fourth month of the year, and it is a bit too early to summarize the results of the government's policy in the area of gender equality. Of course, the results will be followed up, like all other policies in different areas.
What I can say is that Sweden participated with a large delegation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March. We participated with a broad range of Swedish actors, including from civil society, who all in different ways contribute to the valuable work for equality. This year, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration was highlighted.
Sweden has also been part of the EU's negotiating team, and we participated actively in long negotiations to stand up against the increased opposition to equality issues. Despite this opposition, the women's commission succeeded, thanks to the hard work of the EU and like-minded people, in adopting one of the most forward-looking political declarations ever. This is a result, in my eyes.
For the first time, Sweden has taken on the chairmanship of the board of the UN organization for gender equality and women, UN Women. The role as chair provides a unique insight, visibility, contact points, and an opportunity for strategic influence of UN Women during a critical period for gender equality in the world. Our commitment now will have repercussions for several years ahead because UN Women, during the spring, is formulating a new strategic plan that determines the direction for the years 2026–2029.
One of the government's priorities for the presidency of UN Women is women's economic empowerment. As part of this, the government earlier this year gave a mandate to Sida to work with women's economic empowerment within the framework of the UN Women initiative Generation Equality.
We are currently living in a time when equality globally is in decline. Authoritarian forces want to dismantle decades of progress for women and girls' enjoyment of human rights. In a time like this, it is not the time to focus on putting labels on our foreign policy – it is the content that counts. Now, instead, is the time to try to counter the frontal attacks on our fundamental values and on human rights. For me, it is a self-evident matter to continue pursuing such a foreign policy.
Linnéa Wickman (S)
Mr. Speaker! Thank you to the Minister for Foreign Affairs for her answer!
The first foreign policy message that this government gave was that the feminist foreign policy would be abolished, but that equality would still be a core value in foreign policy. This is a mantra and a talking point that we have heard repeated many times in recent years.
But since then, we have seen increasing consequences of the lower ambitions that this has entailed in the area of equality in foreign policy. We see that Sweden's equality ambassador has been abolished, the female mediation network has been shut down, and the active management of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' agency through mandates in regulatory letters linked to equality has increasingly disappeared. The proportion of Swedish aid that goes to equality initiatives via Sida has now fallen to the lowest level in 25 years – and this within a Swedish aid program that is undergoing extensive cuts. It is therefore not about small, marginal changes but about a major dismantling that in many ways signals that equality is no longer a core principle but rather an option when it suits.
This year, Sweden holds the presidency in UN Women. It is, as has already been noted, a historic year; it is 30 years since the Beijing Platform was adopted. The presidency is also held at a time that is historically turbulent – we even see attacks against girls' and women's rights directly from the Trump administration in the White House.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs gave a promise at the beginning of this year that equality in particular would be marked in the foreign policy during the year. It is a promise that binds. There should also be a shift based on the priorities and reductions in ambition that we have seen from the government in recent years.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs points out that Sweden participated actively in the women's commission meeting and that it has been part of the EU's negotiation team. That is good, but it is also the absolute minimum one could expect from a Swedish government.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs also highlights the work on UN Women's strategic plan for the coming years, which is currently being developed. But in order to be able to implement a strategic plan, long-term resources will also be needed. During its first two years in power, Sweden's government halved its support to UN Women. Then, this year, during the chairmanship year, the support was increased again. Therefore, I want to ask a very concrete question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, namely whether the Minister for Foreign Affairs can promise that the Swedish support to UN Women will not be cut again next year, when Sweden hands over the chairmanship.
If we mean it seriously that equality is a core value in foreign policy, we must also demonstrate it. We must demonstrate it not only in words but also in action, and not only during a presidency year but also long-term, every day and every year.
What Sweden says in the UN, in the EU, and in its contacts with other countries carries weight. But that weight depends on our credibility. Credibility is not built only on beautiful speeches but on persistent priorities, concrete politics, and economic commitments that hold over time. The world needs more leaders for girls' and women's rights right now, not fewer. In that case, the Swedish government must demonstrate a long-term commitment to these issues, where resources and governance also steer towards equality in foreign policy.
Eva Lindh (S)
Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! But above all, thanks to Member Linnéa Wickman, who tirelessly pushes forward on these issues. This is so important, and the questions being asked of the Minister for Foreign Affairs are not only reasonable but important in this time.
One thing I do agree with in the Minister's response, namely that equality is on the way back in the world. That is precisely why it is so incredibly important that we fight to strengthen equality, hold back and work so that women and girls, but also men and boys, get a more equal world.
That is why it becomes so strange when the answer is just: Now we are removing the label; now it is the content that counts. That is exactly what is the Social Democrats' criticism. It cannot just be about having a chairmanship or about having written a debate article where it says that equality is important. It is about the content.
We previously had a debate with the Minister for Equality about what it means to take action, show decisiveness, and move from words to action. I could not hear anything.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs took the example that we participate in the commission on women in New York and are active. Of course we shall do that; it is the baseline, just as Linnéa Wickman said.
Was the feminist foreign policy, which this government removed with the first decision it made, ineffective? No. It was significant and made a difference. It was not just a label. It is not only us who think so, but research has shown it.
I can also mention Zimbabwe, for example. There, government colleagues asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs repeatedly whether the feminist foreign policy was actually effective. Those who received the question did not perceive the irony in this but answered the question and said that it was completely decisive and had made an enormous difference. It didn't matter who we met, but all the organizations we met told us what difference this made and that the content really mattered.
What, then, is the major criticism of the feminist foreign policy, if it has now turned out that it really played a role and that it made a difference? We have been able to hear from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the former Minister for Gender Equality – she has indeed stepped down, but I assume it will be the same with the current Minister for Gender Equality – that this is supposed to be so incredibly important. Why was it then removed, and why do we not see any effects of that which is said to be a core value?
I wonder what the government has done and what the Foreign Minister is doing for better equality in this world, besides what is obviously the baseline to avoid moving equality backwards.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Mr. Speaker! Sweden is a powerful voice for equality. We are one of the most important donors globally when it comes to aid for equality work. Despite the increased opposition to equality, Sweden continues to be an important donor for the empowerment of women and girls. During 2024, a total of 16 billion kronor of Sida's total disbursed funds went to initiatives that have equality as a main or partial objective.
Given how much we in this chamber agree on the importance of equality, I think it is so infinitely sad that the Social Democrats are standing here in the chamber bickering, as if there were a difference. Together, we are a strong voice in the world. Then we, among women, should also support each other in being just that and not try to make each other suspicious. From the day I took office, I have been crystal clear that this is an absolute core value and that I personally am incredibly committed to equality issues and hbtqi issues. I bring this up in all the bilaterals I have. I can even irritate my colleagues by bringing up the equality issue so much. I do it because I think it is genuinely important for Sweden and for us women.
Let us instead help each other and continue to ensure that Sweden is a strong voice in the world for equality. Do not diminish the important work we do, which I hope the next government will carry forward and continue to develop if there should be a change of power! I promise that I will help to continue strengthening Sweden's gender equality policy voice in the world if I am in opposition.
Linnéa Wickman (S)
Mr. Speaker! I do not doubt the Foreign Minister's personal commitment to equality. However, I note that the Foreign Minister returns to the point that feminist foreign policy was merely a label and that the content of the policy is what is most important. The Minister and I agree that the content of the policy is what is decisive, and it is precisely the content of and the results of the government's policy that we criticize. There is a lack of governance. Ambitions are retreating. Support is being cut or, at best, remains at similar levels as before, even though we see that the challenges are only becoming larger and larger.
When the feminist foreign policy was evaluated, it showed that Sweden had moved from having equality as a perspective of many in foreign policy to equality permeating all parts. Sweden became a clear and obvious global leader that pushed for increased equality and challenged a development that is going far too slowly.
Is it really compatible with the promises of equality as a core value in foreign policy that the equality initiatives in Sida's aid are at the lowest levels in almost 25 years? It is a fact; Sida's annual report shows it. The funding for equality initiatives within bilateral aid has decreased by 5 billion kronor in just a few years. In the aid to Ukraine, which is our largest aid country and our largest foreign policy priority, the proportion of aid promoting equality plummeted from 60 to 6 percent between 2022 and 2024, according to a review by Kvinna till Kvinna.
It does not stop there either. The Centre for European Studies in Lund shows with new research that Sweden, after the change of government and the abolition of the feminist foreign policy in the EU, is described as quieter than before by other member states. We are no longer perceived as a leader driving for equality. We are no longer seen as an initiator but, at best, as a passive supporter of others' initiatives and proposals.
Mr. Speaker! When one examines the entirety of foreign policy today, it is difficult to find the core value that the Minister for Foreign Affairs speaks of. There are individual good initiatives and investments, for example the support for women's economic empowerment that the Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke about in his interpellation answer and the support for Generation Equality, but it is not enough. The overall picture shows a clear retreat, which has major consequences because Sweden has historically been such a large donor to equality initiatives internationally.
There are a number of concrete proposals that the government could put forward if the Foreign Minister is serious, and I would very much like to join forces with her regarding these proposals. It is about reassessing the decision to abolish the feminist foreign policy and instead focus on developing it, as well as guaranteeing long-term strong support for UN Women, not only now during the chair year.
Reintroduce the Swedish ambassador for global equality! Build strong international partnerships against the anti-gender movement, so that we stand side by side and provide support to feminist movements around the world that make a difference for girls and women every day! Gather Swedish and international actors for an offensive for equality! Take initiative so that we can together find new ways forward in the difficult situation the world finds itself in!
Eva Lindh (S)
Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the commitment shown.
I do not doubt the Foreign Minister's commitment to equality either. What we doubt is the way forward. What the Minister calls bickering is the commitment and the frustration that many of us feel when equality is challenged all over the world, when it is not moving forward, and when Sweden neither shows the leadership that is needed in these times nor makes a difference.
The Minister stated in his response that it is crystal clear, but that is not true. It is not crystal clear for us, and it is not crystal clear for others out there in the world.
I might not have pursued this with such commitment if I had not, through all the conversations I have had in the three women's commissions I have participated in and through the meetings I have had in Washington with women's organizations and civil society organizations from all over the world, understood how important Sweden's feminist foreign policy was. These people pleaded with me as a Swedish parliamentarian: Please, do what you can to change Sweden's direction! Take back the visions and the actions that existed in what Sweden called feminist foreign policy, because it truly made a difference!
Mr. Speaker! It is not nonsense. We are serious, we are engaged, and we demand answers.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Mr. Speaker! In addition to Sweden's core support to UN Women, the government launched another support of 22.5 million last month to UN Women in Ukraine to prevent and combat sexual and gender-based violence, reach vulnerable and marginalized girls and women with humanitarian interventions, and counter human trafficking for purposes including sexual purposes.
Some time ago, I met the UN Women country director in Ukraine, and she was deeply grateful for Sweden's support. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening women's economic empowerment, which is the focus we have for our presidency in UN Women.
For 2025, Sweden has also, via UD, allocated 375 million kronor in core funding to UNFPA and an additional 147.5 million in earmarked support to UNFPA's activities in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza. This support will strengthen girls' and women's full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Sweden is also engaged in promoting the agenda for women, peace and security. Sweden is a driving actor for women, peace and security within both the UN and the EU, OSCE and Nato. For us, it is a matter of course that the work for peace and security goes hand in hand with the work for equality.
The year 2025 will also be the first year that twelve Swedish authorities report on their work with the new national action plan that the government adopted in November 2023.
Sweden holds the chair of the UN Women board this year. During the chairmanship, a strategic plan for 2026–2029 shall be developed, and in that, we focus on women's economic empowerment. It is about promoting women's ability to work and support themselves and about rights and opportunities for ownership, which also creates greater independence. By strengthening girls' and women's economic opportunities, the probability increases that more girls will go to school and that women get better opportunities for education, work, and income.
I can promise that Sweden will continue to be a reliable partner for the freedom and empowerment of all girls and women.
When it comes to the aid to Ukraine, this is always difficult with proportions. When a full-scale war breaks out in a country and we thus increase the humanitarian efforts dramatically, it is natural that the support for women decreases as a proportion, even if the support does not decrease in total.
It is interesting that Linnéa Wickman focuses on the fact that it is actions and not words that count. Then I ask myself why the main criticism stems from exactly which word is used. Even if we do not use the words feminist foreign policy, we conduct a foreign policy that truly makes a difference for girls and women around the world.
Linnéa Wickman (S)
Mr. Speaker! Sweden has been entrusted to lead the work in UN Women during one of the most decisive years in decades, given the serious developments in the world and the strong opposition to girls' and women's rights. The presidency is not a PR effort but a great responsibility in a time when women's rights are being pushed back across the entire world, and let us remember that this is driven by well-funded, value-conservative forces that want to turn back the clock. This requires a policy that dares, holds firm, and leads, and where the content steers towards increased equality in foreign policy.
I have in the debate enumerated examples of the consequences of the feminist foreign policy being removed. It is therefore not merely about the use of a word, but about an entire steering system having been removed, the consequences of which, as we have said, we see in foreign policy.
The feminist foreign policy was a promise to the world's girls and women that Sweden would consistently, firmly, and bravely stand by their side. I cannot imagine a time when it has been more important for us to be brave and focus on the content of the policy. When the government abolished this, they made a historical mistake, and they did so with unusually poor timing given the developments in the world.
Many of us will follow whether the Minister for Foreign Affairs keeps his promise from January that equality will be noticeable in foreign policy, as so far we do not actually see much of this.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Mr. Speaker! Equality needs to be defended and protected all over the world every day – primarily through powerful action that makes a real difference and not through beautiful words. In a time when equality globally is in retreat, it is not the time to focus on labels. The focus instead needs to be on how Sweden can contribute to pushing back the oppression that girls and women in the world are subjected to. The focus should not lie on what we call our foreign policy.
Our important work begins by strengthening women's empowerment, safeguarding human rights and countering the attacks on Sweden's fundamental values both at home and globally. Therefore, as Foreign Minister, I intend to continue working to ensure that Sweden remains a credible actor for equality and for the empowerment of all girls and women. I truly hope that we can do this together.
No, the presidency of UN Women is absolutely not a PR effort. It is quite the opposite. We are truly filling the presidency with important content. We are also able to prioritize, focus, and deliver.
I thank you for an important debate and look forward to continuing to discuss these important issues.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.