Women, peace and security. This triad is the cornerstone of our feminist foreign policy.

I am convinced that equality for all genders and equal participation of marginalised groups lay the foundations for democracy and human rights.

These foundations are fragile. Currently, we are seeing that representation and participation of women in all their diversity are by no means a given. Around the world, we are witnessing how women’s rights are coming increasingly under pressure and successes in gender-sensitive policies are under threat. As the international community, we need to continue to fight persistently – and not just on International Women’s Day – to promote real, resilient equality for all women in the world.

Whether in the DRC, in Sudan, in Iran or in Afghanistan, women and girls are often exposed to systematic gender-based violence in conflicts. We have to keep our eyes open, engage in preventive measures and lend support when it comes to investigating such crimes. In crisis situations, women are particularly often and particularly badly affected by a lack of resources. When it comes to securing peace and analysing conflicts, women, however, far too rarely have a seat at the table and thus remain invisible. It has been proven that lasting peace is more likely and more stable if women are involved in negotiations. The Federal Government is therefore working around the world to promote the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda of the UN Security Council.

Feminist foreign policy is a key component of many measures. Thus, Germany is, for example, the largest donor to the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund used to finance women’s projects to prevent and overcome crises and conflicts. Given that women’s rights are being most severely violated in Afghanistan, Germany, together with other partners, is working on proceedings to hold Afghanistan and the de facto Taliban government accountable for violations of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. By chairing the Equal Rights Coalition, the Federal Foreign Office has shown particular commitment to LGBTIQ people and continues to do so.

No country in the world has made the equality of women and marginalised groups a reality thus far. It is a process that has to take place at all levels. Together with civil society and human rights defenders, we have achieved a lot on this journey. Protecting and building on what we have achieved remains a task for each and every one of us – especially now.