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, progress remains uneven: women as still sidelined in peace processes, despite being among 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 renewal and what could be used to transform international commitments into concrete action ?

Alice Apostoly : Despite some, women’s participation in peacebuilding remains limited, even as they are disproportionately affected by conflict. With France’s National Action Plan (NAP) coming to an end, it is essential to build on past lessons to relaunch the agenda more effectively.

To achieve this, several priorities should guide the renewal of the NAP. First, governance must be strengthened by creating a dedicated structure with adequate resources to coordinate interministerial actions and ensure rigorous monitoring. Parliamentary involvement is also essential, through regular hearings of the relevant committees, to ensure democratic oversight and accountability. Mobilizing diversified funding, tailored to identified needs is another key issue, along with the full and continuous participation of civil society, particularly feminist and grassroots organizations, in designing and evaluating actions. Finally, the plan must address contemporary challenges, such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence and the differentiated impacts of climate change on women and gender minorities.

To translate these commitments into concrete actions, several levers must be activated. Ongoing training for institutional actors on gender issues will allow for better integration of these concerns into public policy. Monitoring and evaluation must be transparent and accessible 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 continue its advocacy at the international level, particularly through its privileged position 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 merely about renewing commitments ; it involves building a coherent, more inclusive, and sustainable policy that transforms the principles of Resolution 1325 into tangible realities for women, both as victims and agents of peace, as well as for gender minorities whose specific needs are often overlooked.

Focus 2030  : The European Union is facing 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 : Concretely, this would involve several transformations within 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. Second, coordination between national and European policies must be strenghtened to better 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. A 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 are required for the EU to translate its commitments into concrete and inclusive actions on the global stage.

The Gender in Geopolitics Institute 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 Foreign Policies play in supporting this international mobilization ?

Alice Apostoly : According to the report by the Gender in Geopolitics Institute, "Pushing back against masculinist discourses online – Recommendations to the European Union and its Member States to fight sexist and lgbtiphobic cyberviolence" these anti-rights movements rely on masculinist narratives that inverse victimhood, accusing feminism and equality policies of causinf the so-called “crisis of masculinity". They also draw on conservative rethoric defending traditional, family, and religious values.

This dynamic has concrete effects on public policy and civil society. It contributes to the normalization of anti-gender ideas in the media and public discourse, weaking existing legal and normative protections. It can also influence legislation and government action, leading to 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 power. As a result, it fuels conservative and anti-rights international alliances, bringing together political figures, civil society actors, and religious institutions that coordinate actions in multilateral forums such as the UN or the Council of Europe.

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

To address this challenge, several strategies must be prioritized. First, strengthen legal and regulatory framework through laws against hate speech, accountability for digital platforms, and enhanced protection for victims. Next, explicitly integrate the fight against masculinist narratives 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, public awareness and educating citizens about disinformation and online hate are 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 help 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 advance equality and human rights.

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