When Feminist Foreign Policy Fails: The CFFP's Collapse and the Danger of Whitewashing Equality
Many years ago, in one of my first political science lectures, my professor introduced us to the concept of mind mapping and stakeholder identification. Working in groups, we chose to focus on violence against Indigenous women in Canada and their limited access to transportation. One core question emerged from this exercise: “Who is in the room with us?” This question wasn’t just about identifying voices present but also recognizing those absent- and considering how we could use our privilege to amplify those voices.
This concept became a cornerstone of my personal and professional ethos. It seemed obvious to me that the responsibility of those who are privileged is to create space for others, especially those traditionally excluded. Yet, the recent controversy surrounding the Center for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP) has highlighted just how far this principle is from being universal, even within organizations claiming to champion intersectionality.
The CFFP’s Humble Beginnings
As a staunch advocate for feminist representation in government and foreign policy, I was thrilled when I first came across the CFFP. Here was an NGO that proclaimed an intersectional approach to advocating for women in policymaking, offering workshops, education, and public speaking engagements to further these goals. Based in Europe, particularly Germany, the organization quickly became a prominent voice in domestic and international feminist discourse.
However, for those who followed its work closely, cracks in its foundation began to appear long before its recent public unraveling. Whispers of criticism, particularly regarding the narrow, exclusive nature of its feminism, had circulated for years. Rather than embodying the inclusive principles it espoused, the CFFP seemed increasingly aligned with a brand of feminism tailored for white, upper-class, European women.
My Experience with the CFFP
I experienced this firsthand while co-organizing a panel on feminist cybersecurity for the Young Security Conference (YSC), a volunteer-driven NGO committed to intergenerational and intersectional inclusion in Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) spaces. When I reached out to the CFFP to participate, I assumed their mission aligned with our goals of fostering dialogue and elevating underrepresented voices.
However, their response left me disappointed. While I understand the right of any organization to set its own policies, the CFFP declined to participate, citing their commitment to “intersectional feminism” as incompatible with contributing to an event that could not afford speaker fees. As a feminist, I believe in fair compensation for work, but I also believe that intersectionality includes recognizing and supporting underfunded initiatives that aim to amplify marginalized voices.
The Public Unraveling
The past few months have seen the CFFP implode under the weight of mounting criticisms. Former brave employees, particularly women of color, have come forward with serious allegations of exclusion, mistreatment, and hypocrisy within the organization. Public resignations from high-profile advisory council members, including Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE, and Kavita Nandini Ramdas, further underscored the deep fissures within the organization.
In their joint resignation statement, Anderlini and Ramdas lamented the organization’s silencing of dissenting voices on Gaza and its mistreatment of advisory council members, actions they felt fundamentally betrayed feminist values. Their departure coincided with the disbanding of the entire advisory council, an alarming move that only deepened concerns about the organization’s transparency and commitment to accountability.
Another damning critique came in the form of an open letter shared by Aya Chebbi, a UN diplomat for the Global Champion on Conflict Related Sexual Violence and Youth Liaison. The letter detailed the experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) employees who faced injustices within the organization. Chebbi’s call for solidarity with these women highlighted the dangers of "white feminism"- a feminism that perpetuates the very inequalities it claims to fight.
The Wider Problem of Feminist Policy
The collapse of the CFFP is more than a cautionary tale; it is symptomatic of a larger issue. Feminist initiatives in the Global North too often center the experiences and priorities of privileged white women, leaving behind those most vulnerable. This narrow definition of feminism has not only excluded marginalized voices but, in some (if not most) cases, actively harmed them.
This brings us to the broader implications for feminist foreign policy (FFP): what does it mean to pursue feminist foreign policy when those enacting it fail to advocate for the vulnerable? Germany offers an alarming case study.
Feminist Foreign Policy or Hollow Rhetoric? Germany’s Gaza Stance
Germany, led by self-proclaimed feminist Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, provides a troubling example of the disconnect between feminist principles and policy. In her remarks on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Baerbock defended the systematic bombing of civilian areas under the guise of Israel’s “right to self-defense.” Her speech justified attacks on infrastructure, homes, and schools, stating that civilian sites could lose their protected status if “terrorists” were present. (source: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/-/2679832)
This rhetoric contrasts sharply with the core principles of feminist foreign policy: prioritizing the safety, dignity, and rights of all people, particularly the most vulnerable. Instead, Germany’s approach has contributed to the devastating toll in Gaza, where women and children bear the brunt of the violence.
Consider the following statistics from Oxfam, Action on Armed Violence and the article Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential, by Khatib, Rasha et al.:
Since the conflict began, Israeli forces have hit civilian infrastructure in Gaza every three hours on average.
Homes are bombed every four hours; schools and hospitals, every four days.
In total, 11,355 children have been killed in Gaza this year alone, a figure nearly five times higher than in previous years
Between 2014 and 2023, AOAV recorded 1,644 incidents of explosive violence in Gaza, resulting in 19,862 casualties, of which 97% (19,283) were civilians. Among these civilian casualties, at least 2,260 were children, 1,130 were women, and 590 were men. Notably, 57% (10,954) of the civilian casualties were reported as killed.
Oxfam has highlighted that Israel is using water as a weapon of war, leading to a 94% reduction in Gaza's water supply. This drastic decrease has created a deadly health catastrophe, with more than a quarter (26%) of Gaza’s population falling severely ill from easily preventable diseases.
These figures are not just numbers; they represent lives destroyed, families torn apart, and communities devastated. How can a foreign policy that enables such atrocities claim to be feminist?
The Need for Accountability in Feminist Policy
The CFFP’s failings and Germany’s Gaza policy are not isolated incidents. They highlight a dangerous trend in the Global North: using the language of feminism to justify policies that prioritize the privileged while neglecting, or actively harming, the vulnerable. Feminist foreign policy must be more than a branding exercise; it must be a commitment to equity, justice, and humanity.
True feminist policy requires introspection, humility, and a willingness to center those whose voices are often excluded. It demands that we ask, “Who is in the room?”-and take deliberate steps to ensure that everyone, especially the most marginalized, have a seat at the table.
In Summary
The story of the CFFP’s rise and fall is a microcosm of the larger challenges facing feminist movements today. As feminists, we must hold ourselves and our institutions accountable. We must ensure that our advocacy does not replicate the very systems of oppression we seek to dismantle. And we must remember that feminism, at its core, is about inclusion- not just in words, but in actions.
The collapse of the CFFP is an opportunity for reflection and change. Let it serve as a reminder that feminism, if it is to be meaningful, must extend beyond privilege and comfort zones. It must be a force for justice, equity, and humanity- for everyone, everywhere.
(Cover photo by Wolfgang Kumm/picture alliance via Getty Images)
