Surakarta – Sweden’s internationally recognized Feminist Foreign Policy has entered a new phase. A study published in 2026 by Sritami Santi Hatmini from Slamet Riyadi University reveals that while the Swedish government has removed the “feminist” label from its foreign policy, many gender-equality commitments remain embedded within state institutions.
The research examines the transformation of Sweden’s foreign policy from the introduction of Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) in 2014 to the post-label period between 2022 and 2025. The shift occurred after the election of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s government and Sweden’s accession to NATO in March 2024.
The findings are significant because Sweden was the first country in the world to officially adopt a feminist foreign policy. Its approach later inspired similar initiatives in countries such as Canada, Spain, Chile, and Mexico.
For nearly a decade, Sweden’s foreign policy was guided by three core principles: women’s rights, equal representation, and equitable allocation of resources. These principles placed gender equality, peacebuilding, and human rights at the center of diplomatic decision-making.
According to Hatmini’s study, major changes emerged following the 2022 general election. The new center-right government argued that the feminist label had become politically restrictive and sometimes complicated diplomatic relations with conservative governments.
Instead of maintaining the terminology, Swedish officials adopted broader concepts such as “human-centered diplomacy” and “inclusive cooperation.” While the language changed, several gender-related programs continued to operate.
The study employed a qualitative approach using critical discourse analysis. Data were collected from official Swedish government documents, international organization reports, academic publications, and policy statements covering the period from 2014 to 2025.
The research found that the removal of the feminist label did not result in the complete abandonment of gender equality policies. However, gender issues no longer serve as the primary framework guiding Sweden’s foreign policy.
The transformation became more visible after Sweden joined NATO. Foreign policy priorities shifted toward collective defense, regional security, and geopolitical stability. Within this new framework, gender issues increasingly became part of broader security strategies rather than standalone normative objectives.
Evidence presented in the study shows a decline in funding proportions for gender-focused initiatives. During the Feminist Foreign Policy era, approximately 25 percent of Sweden’s foreign aid supported Women, Peace and Security (WPS) programs. By the post-label period, that figure had fallen to around 15 percent.
Funding dedicated to gender equality within Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs also declined from approximately SEK 1.5 billion in 2021 to SEK 1.1 billion in 2024.
The defense sector illustrates the shift even more clearly. Although Sweden’s defense budget increased by roughly 33 percent to SEK 131 billion in 2025, the share allocated to gender-related programs dropped from 12 percent to just 5 percent.
Hatmini argues that these developments reflect a phenomenon known as “gendered silencing,” where gender-related language and priorities gradually disappear from official discourse when national security becomes dominant.
Despite these changes, the study concludes that gender equality has not disappeared from Swedish diplomacy. Sweden continues to support programs focused on women’s rights, conflict resolution, and international development.
To explain this transformation, the study introduces the concept of “Neo-Feminist Pragmatism.” The framework suggests that feminist values are not eliminated but adapted to fit changing geopolitical realities, security priorities, and strategic national interests.
According to Hatmini, Sweden’s experience illustrates the growing tension between Nordic normative ideals and contemporary geopolitical pressures. The country has moved from a transformative feminist agenda toward a more pragmatic and security-oriented foreign policy model.
The findings offer important lessons for governments seeking to balance gender equality commitments with evolving security challenges. Sweden’s case demonstrates that the long-term survival of gender-focused policies depends less on political labels and more on institutional structures capable of sustaining those values.
In practice, the study suggests that feminist principles can continue to influence policy even when the terminology itself is removed. The result is a more adaptive form of diplomacy that retains elements of gender equality while responding to changing international realities.
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