3 Questions to Alice Apostoly, co-founder and co-director of the Gender in Politics Institute

3 questions to Alice Apostoly, Co-founder et co-director of the Gender in Politics Institute 

Focus 2030  : Twenty-five years after the adoption of Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, the picture remains mixed : women continue to be largely absent from peace processes, even though they are among the first victims of conflict. As France’s National Action Plan for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda comes to an end, what priorities should guide its relaunch and what levers could be used to transform international commitments into concrete action on the ground ?

Alice Apostoly : While progress has been made, women remain largely absent from peace processes, even though they continue to bear the brunt of the effects of conflict. As France’s National Action Plan (NAP) comes to an end, it is crucial to learn from experience in order to effectively relaunch this agenda.

To achieve this, several priorities must guide the relaunch of the NAP. First, governance must be strengthened by creating a dedicated structure with sufficient resources to coordinate interministerial actions and ensure rigorous monitoring. The involvement of Parliament is also essential, through regular hearings of the relevant committees to ensure democratic oversight and accountability of stakeholders. The mobilization of diversified funding tailored to identified needs is another key issue, as is the full and continuous involvement of civil society, particularly feminist and local organizations, in the design and evaluation of actions. Finally, the plan must take contemporary issues into account, such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence and the differentiated impacts of climate change on women and gender minorities.

To transform these commitments into concrete actions, several levers must be activated. Ongoing training for institutional actors on gender issues will enable these issues to be better integrated into public policy. Monitoring and evaluation must be transparent and accessible in order to measure progress and adjust strategies in real time. Strengthening partnerships with international organizations, the research community, NGOs, and local actors is essential to ensuring an inclusive and effective approach.

In addition, France must pursue its advocacy at the international level, particularly through its privileged status within the United Nations, in order to promote the “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda and inspire other countries to make concrete commitments.

Therefore, relaunching the National Action Plan is not limited to renewing commitments ; it involves building a coherent, more inclusive, and sustainable policy that transforms the principles of Resolution 1325 into tangible realities for women who are victims and actors of peace, but also for gender minorities whose specific needs are neglected.

Focus 2030  : The European Union is going through a turbulent period — the rise of the far right, setbacks in fundamental freedoms, economic instability, and international crises. You argue that a feminist foreign policy, grounded in equality, justice, and intersectionality, could provide a structuring response. What concrete transformations would this entail for European institutions and member states ? And what obstacles must be overcome to make this approach a credible and coherent international policy ?

Alice Apostoly : In concrete terms, this would involve several transformations for European institutions and member states. First, a feminist and intersectional approach should be integrated at every stage of external action — from policy design to evaluation — to ensure coherence and effectiveness. Next, it would be necessary to strengthen coordination between national and European policies in order to support civil societies and marginalized voices. Finally, the active engagement of institutions, member states, and social movements is essential to implement this policy in an inclusive and sustainable way.

However, several obstacles must be overcome. Internal resistance may arise, particularly from actors attached to more conservative or nationalist visions of foreign policy. The lack of financial resources and training for diplomats and policymakers represents an additional barrier. Lastly, geopolitical realities — including relations with countries that do not share the same standards on human rights and gender equality — complicate the adoption and implementation of a coherent feminist foreign policy at the international level.

For this approach to gain credibility and effectiveness, strong political will, profound institutional change, and collective mobilization will be required so that the EU can translate its commitments into concrete and inclusive actions on the global stage.

The Institute for Gender in Geopolitics has also explored the possibility of a feminist European foreign policy in its latest report : “Rethinking the EU’s External Action : Towards an Intersectional and Inclusive Feminist Foreign Policy.”

Focus 2030  : Anti-rights and masculinist movements are gaining strength around the world, challenging equality policies and the legitimacy of feminist initiatives. How do you analyze this dynamic and its effects on public policy and civil society ? What strategies would be most effective in responding to this and protecting the rights of women and girls, and what role can gatherings such as the 4th Conference on Feminist Diplomacy play in supporting this international mobilization ?

Alice Apostoly : According to the report by the Gender in Geopolitics Institute, “Countering Online Anti-Gender Movements – Recommendations to the European Union and Its Member States for Combating Sexist and LGBTI-Phobic Cyberviolence,” these anti-rights movements rely on masculinist narratives that reverse victimhood by accusing feminism and equality policies of being responsible for the so-called “crisis of masculinity,” as well as on a conservative discourse defending traditional, family, and religious values.

This dynamic has practical effects on public policy and civil society. It contributes to the normalization of anti-gender ideas in the media and public spaces, which weakens existing normative protections. It can also influence legislation and government action, with restrictions on abortion, sexual and reproductive health, inclusive education, and the protection of LGBTI+ rights, due to ideological porosity with far-right political actors in office. It thus fuels conservative and anti-rights international alliances, composed of political figures, civil society actors, and state and religious powers, which coordinate actions in multilateral forums such as the UN or the Council of Europe.

The continuum between online discourse and offline violence shows that digital radicalization can lead to concrete actions, ranging from harassment to targeted attacks, such as those recently seen in France. Furthermore, the spread of anti-gender discourse, supported by algorithmic echo chambers on social media, contributes to polarizing society and weakening feminist and progressive voices.

To address this issue, several strategies have been identified as priorities. First, strengthening the legal and regulatory framework through laws against hate speech, holding digital platforms accountable, and protecting victims. Next, explicitly integrating the fight against masculinist discourse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence into public policies and digital regulation, combining proactive moderation, transparency, and civic education. Supporting and protecting feminist and LGBTI+ activists — through strong political backing and substantial financial assistance — is also crucial. Finally, raising public awareness and educating citizens about disinformation and online hate is key to countering online radicalization.

International gatherings, such as the 4th Conference on Feminist Foreign Policies, play a strategic role in supporting this mobilization. They make it possible to coordinate actors, share best practices, strengthen the visibility of feminist initiatives, and defend the rights of women and girls worldwide. These spaces also foster the creation of transnational coalitions capable of responding coherently to anti-rights campaigns and promoting a feminist normative agenda within major multilateral arenas, thereby helping to protect and consolidate progress on equality and human rights.

NB : The opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect the views of Focus 2030.