Symposium by GQUAL on CEDAW’s GR40: The GR40 as a Fundamental Basis for Foreign Policy

[Claudia Fuentes Julio (PhD, International Relations) is the Ambassador of Chile to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva 

Solange Dufourcq del Canto is a Lawyer, Chilean Diplomat, Gender Focal Point at the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva]

The General Recommendation No. 40 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) provides a guideline for State Parties to ensure compliance with their obligations concerning the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems. This is defined as parity between women and men in terms of both equal access and equal power within decision-making systems, offering a comprehensive vision that includes the underlying obstacles that prevent women from accessing these systems on an equal footing with men. 

By focusing on equal and inclusive representation, this recommendation underscores the importance of integrating a gender perspective into the formulation and implementation of all public policies, establishing women’s equal right to participate in political and public life, as well as in international decision-making and economic affairs. 

Foreign policy, like any public policy, also faces the challenge of incorporating the principle of gender equality and putting into practice women’s right to represent governments at the international level. In this regard, the timing of this recommendation is highly relevant, as the current international diplomatic landscape is witnessing an intense debate on this matter. On one hand, there is significant backlash against the concept of gender and women’s rights; on the other hand, a considerable number of states are pushing forward the implementation of specific policies for equal representation in these spaces. 

Among these, countries with feminist foreign policy (FFP), including Germany, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Mexico, and the Netherlands, have actively promoted these initiatives as part of their positioning objectives. Their focus has been on integrating gender equality and women’s rights as a central component of their international action. Each state (with different emphases) applies FFP across all areas of action: consular, peace and security policy, human rights, economic foreign policy, and cultural and social diplomacy. 

In this context, Recommendation 40 serves not only as a roadmap for countries with feminist foreign policy, but also as a guide for international action for all states that are part of CEDAW. In this regard, foreign policy requires a strategic and internationally coordinated approach to advance the objectives set out by GR40.  

Here are some suggestions for achieving this: 

Women in Decision-Making at the International Level and Representation 

Enhancing women’s equal participation in all areas of society and strengthening the representation of women and marginalised groups in foreign policy and diplomacy. Despite progress in gender equality, women remain underrepresented, both at the national level and in senior decision-making positions within the United Nations system. 

The reality is that we are far from achieving true gender equality, and the gap persists. The numbers are clear: currently, female ambassadors only represent 21% of all individuals holding that rank in active duty. Likewise, recent studies indicate that less than 30% of leadership positions in international organisations are occupied by women, with significant disparities in areas such as diplomacy, peacekeeping, and the global economy. 

These are just some measures, but collaborative efforts towards true gender parity can take many forms, such as prioritising the appointment of women to key embassies, ensuring gender parity in entry systems for Foreign Service, and implementing affirmative measures for women serving in areas related to work-life balance. 

New Alliances and International Cooperation 

Promoting diplomacy that prioritises gender equality in bilateral and multilateral relations and fostering alliances with other countries and organisations that share these values. An important objective is that international cooperation is applied with gender sensitivity criteria and focuses on intersectional vulnerabilities. 

In this regard, it is essential to create strategic multi-level alliances: between States, to share best practices and common experiences in gender equality; at the multilateral level, to develop and implement technical assistance mechanisms and funding initiatives for gender parity in multilateral organisations; with civil society, the United Nations system, and non-state actors, to design effective strategies for the inclusion of women in decision-making; and with the private sector, to engage businesses and private entities in promoting gender parity and developing female leadership. 

Civil society is a fundamental ally, particularly organisations working on gender issues, to obtain perspectives and data that inform policy formulation. In Latin America, feminist movements have been crucial in securing rights for women and girls. 

Conflict Prevention and Violence: The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda 

Despite the increasing number and severity of international conflicts and their devastating humanitarian consequences, women have been systematically and historically excluded from peace negotiations. We have an opportunity to change our approach and centre women as driving forces for peace, ensuring that parity in decision-making guides our efforts to build an inclusive and lasting global peace architecture. 

Including women in the design, negotiation, and implementation of peace and security policies has profound and multidimensional implications. Incorporating an intersectional approach that considers gender, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic conditions in risk and threat assessments allows for the expansion of security priorities, integrating aspects such as gender-based violence in conflict, sexual violence, and exploitation, which have historically been ignored in traditional security frameworks.  

The equitable inclusion of women in conflict and post-conflict processes ensures the incorporation of a wider range of perspectives and experiences. It is a fact that women experience conflicts differently from men, facing unique challenges. Their active participation can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions, fostering a sense of common commitment, an essential aspect for the sustainability of peace agreements. 

Similarly, equal representation plays a crucial role in conflict prevention. Policies and strategies that reflect the concerns and needs of the entire population are more likely to succeed. 

Lastly, but equally important, equitable participation promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women, which are fundamental elements for peace. 

Training and Evaluation 

Affirmative measures through training and evaluation help address historical and systemic disparities that have limited women’s participation at the international level, fostering an environment where both men and women can fully and equally participate. 

In this regard, training is crucial to levelling the playing field, equipping women with the necessary skills to perform effectively in international roles. Well-designed training programmes provide women with the tools to overcome historical and cultural barriers, engaging them actively in decision-making processes. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

General Recommendation No. 40 has sufficient potential to strengthen cohesion and effectiveness in the monitoring and evaluation of public policies from a gender perspective, promoting a structured framework that enables policies to be assessed through a gender lens, ensuring they are reviewed based on their real impact on women and girls. 

In this regard, establishing mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating public policies fosters greater transparency in public administration. It provides mechanisms to hold governments accountable for progress in gender equality and to ensure their actions translate into better opportunities and rights for women. Public policies can be more precisely adapted to the specific needs of different groups of women. Allowing for this iterative adjustment ensures more effective and targeted solutions. 

Regional Perspectives and the Role of Latin America 

The adoption of GR40 can also position Latin America as a key actor in promoting gender equality at the global level. Chile, Colombia, and Mexico have declared themselves as having FFP, and other countries in the region have begun incorporating feminist principles into their foreign policies, reinforcing the potential of GR40 as a unifying framework. 

Its implementation could strengthen the region’s role in advocating for inclusive multilateralism, where women’s voices are heard and considered in all decision-making spheres. These actions could also position Latin America as a leader in inclusive diplomacy and a promoter of human rights. For example, the various existing regional initiatives in Latin America could serve as an excellent forum for creating opportunities for training and strengthening networks of women leaders in diplomacy and international politics. Regional cooperation could include the development of shared indicators to evaluate the impact of gender equality policies. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, General Recommendation No. 40 of CEDAW not only establishes normative foundations for effective gender-sensitive policies but also drives a substantial shift in both rhetoric and the lived experiences of women and girls. Through robust policies and genuine commitments, it provides a clear and valuable roadmap for eliminating barriers and ensuring that every woman and girl can live free from discrimination and fully contribute to society. 

In foreign policy, this creates the obligation to ensure the presence of women at all levels and across all spheres of international affairs, including security and economic matters, in both multilateral and bilateral forums. It also enables the implementation of a feminist international policy where gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to governmental policies abroad. By establishing new pathways to eliminate gender discrimination in the international arena, a fairer and more inclusive environment is fostered, bringing transformative benefits to global societies.