Gender Equality in Canada’s Foreign Policy: What is at stake

Gender equality is often approached as a question of rights, development, or social justice. But it is also closely connected to the economy, democracy and security. Around the world, attacks on gender equality increasingly accompany broader efforts to weaken human rights, democratic freedoms and international cooperation. This makes gender equality more than a foreign policy priority. It reflects choices about the kind of society and world that countries seek to build, particularly at a time of growing authoritarianism and geopolitical uncertainty.

Canada is redefining its place in a rapidly changing world. Trade diversification, economic sovereignty, security and strategic partnerships are taking on greater importance in the country’s foreign policy. These priorities are legitimate, but they raise a defining question for the next phase of Canada’s international engagement: will gender equality remain a clear and meaningful priority?

This concern is not simply about whether feminist language will disappear from future policy documents. It is about whether Canada will safeguard nearly eight years of investments, expertise, and partnership and whether it will continue supporting approaches that have delivered results.  

It was in this context that Cooperation Canada, in collaboration with the Women’s Rights Policy Group and the Global Gender Equality Coalition, commissioned Holding the Line on Gender Equality: Evidence to Inform the Future of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. Made possible with funding from Global Affairs Canada, the study takes stock of nearly eight years of FIAP implementation and provides evidence to help understand its progress, limitations and the gains that should be preserved.

The study’s findings subsequently informed the development of a policy brief on gender equality. The brief provides a common foundation for current policy discussions and makes the case that gender equality should remain a key priority within Canada’s foreign policy.

What Canada stand to lose

There is no doubt that the FIAP has helped advance the rights of women and girls globally. From education and sexual and reproductive health and rights to women’s participation in United Nations peace operations and their ability to understand and claim their rights, gender equality has become more firmly embedded in Canada’s international assistance.

The FIAP has also helped Canada approach humanitarian action, climate change, poverty and inequality through a gender-responsive lens.

Women’s economic participation contributes to more resilient economies, and women’s inclusion in peacebuilding can support more sustainable and inclusive peace. Maintaining this expertise would strengthen, rather than compete with, Canada’s broader economic, security and diplomatic objectives.

These experiences provide a strong foundation for building a new narrative around trade, development and security without sidelining gains Canada has made in advancing human rights and the values we cherish as Canadians.

But this foundation could weaken if gender equality is no longer clearly articulated, supported and measured. Canada risks losing institutional expertise, trusted partnerships with women’s rights organizations and the international credibility it has built over several years.

Ongoing civil society discussions can bring forward evidence and perspectives to help shape this new narrative and inform the government’s reflections. The objective is not to resist the evolution of Canada’s foreign policy, but to demonstrate how emerging priorities can build on the lessons of the FIAP.

Keeping Gender Equality on the Agenda

As Canada reviews its priorities, three considerations could help ensure that gender equality remains visible, practical and accountable in the next phase of foreign policy.

First, Canada needs greater policy clarity. The implementation of the FIAP revealed uneven interpretations of feminism and gender equality. As concepts such as pragmatism, economic sovereignty and security become more prominent, the government should define what they mean, where they apply and how they shape Canada’s international engagement, including a connection with gender equality.

Second, Canada must strengthen policy coherence. Canada has built a reputation as a principled international partner committed to human rights and a rules-based international order. Maintaining that credibility is just as important as pursuing economic prosperity. Trade, development, diplomacy and security policies should therefore work together to reinforce Canada’s commitments to gender equality and human rights.

Third, Canada should safeguard the foundations that have enabled progress. Advancing gender equality requires more than policy commitments. It depends on sustained investment, institutional capacity and long-term partnerships. This means maintaining predictable and dedicated funding, reaffirming gender equality as both a standalone objective and a cross-cutting priority, and preserving expertise across government and civil society. It also means upholding key commitments, including support for sexual and reproductive health and rights and flexible, long-term funding for women’s rights organizations. Together, these steps would help ensure that Canada’s evolving foreign policy responds to new geopolitical realities while preserving the values, commitments and leadership that have sharped its role globally.