Footage Foundation, a non-profit organization known for its participatory feminist research interventions addressing gender-based violence in conflict zones, has been invited to join the third Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policies in Mexico City. The conference, themed 'Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,' seeks to explore feminist foreign policy as a pathway to social justice and address pressing global issues such as climate chaos, sexual and reproductive health and rights, peace and security, and migration.
Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, co-founder and Executive Director of Footage Foundation, represented the organization at the conference. She joined a diverse group of leaders from global governments, international bodies, and civil society organizations to discuss innovative solutions dedicated to gender equality, non-discrimination, and ending gender violence.
Dr. Eglinton emphasized the unique challenges faced by women and girls, particularly in times of crisis and displacement. She pointed out that traditional frameworks of diplomacy and policy-making often fall short in addressing these nuanced challenges. 'For over 15 years and through our 10 U.S. State Department Public Diplomacy programs, we have learned that traditional frameworks of diplomacy and policy-making often fall short in addressing the nuanced challenges faced by women and girls in all their diversity, as well as LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities, particularly in crisis settings,' she stated.
In 2023, Footage Foundation published a significant report titled Compassion, Connection and Forced Displacement, which is part of their body of work, Explorations of Compassion: The Lived Experiences of Young Women Refugees and Their Communities. The report explores compassion-based participatory interventions with refugee women, highlighting the importance of addressing the specific needs of forcibly displaced women and girls through compassionate and connected approaches.
The report argues that policies and specific events shape the broader context in which refugees' narratives unfold and have long-term effects on their individual experiences and opportunities to cultivate connection. It calls for interventions that provide non-medicalized mental health support and communicate compassion to refugees, recognizing the potential these services hold for their wellbeing.
Dr. Eglinton stressed that connection and compassion are central to advancing the lives and survival of women and girls, as well as to realizing many targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning with the principles of feminist foreign policy and women, peace, and security agendas. 'If we are to find a way forward to creating a better future for all, we must take compassionate action and use a distinctive dialogue diplomacy approach to bridge the gaps between policymakers and affected communities,' she said.
Footage Foundation's participation in the conference underscores the critical need for compassionate and inclusive policies that address the unique challenges faced by displaced women and girls. Their work highlights the power of compassion and connection in fostering inclusive decision-making and advocating for policies that support the wellbeing of refugees and migrants.
