Sweden's Decline in EU Gender Equality Leadership Following Policy Changes
A study highlights Sweden's decline in EU gender equality leadership after the abolition of its feminist foreign policy.
Key Points
- • Sweden has lost its leading role in EU gender equality efforts.
- • The abolition of the feminist foreign policy in 2022 has affected Sweden's international image.
- • Finland is now seen as the most ambitious nation regarding gender equality issues.
- • Criticism of Sweden's arms exports to rights-violating countries undermines its credibility.
A new study from Lund University reveals that Sweden has lost its position as a leader in the EU's gender equality efforts after the abolition of its feminist foreign policy in 2022. Malena Rosén Sundström, a researcher involved in the study, presented these findings at a meeting with Concord Sweden's gender equality working group. Once viewed as a normative force in women's rights, Sweden is now one of many actors in gender equality initiatives, with Finland emerging as a new front-runner in ambitious proposals.
The feminist foreign policy, which Sweden introduced in 2014, garnered international attention and inspired over ten other nations to adopt similar frameworks. However, the current government argues that this policy mainly served as a label rather than providing substantial contributions to policymaking. Critics have highlighted Sweden's arms export to countries that violate women's rights, which has further undermined its credibility in gender equality issues.
This shift marks a significant transformation in Sweden's international standing on gender rights advocacy, as the country moves away from a previously collaborative approach in favor of a more ambiguous role.