Germany: Frau want to take international affairs into their own hands

The German authorities intend to invest 12 billion euros in projects of women's rights protection, gender equality and participation of ladies in foreign policy.

On the eve of International Women's Day, two ministers from Olaf Scholz's cabinet released an 88-page government plan of feminist foreign policy.

This was done by the head of the Foreign Ministry, the indefatigable Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze (SPD).

Doesn't it remind you of anything? Personally, it reminds me of another couple. We're talking about the fiery German revolutionary Clara Zetkin (née Clara Josephine Eisner) and her comrade in arms, Rosa Luxemburg (née Rosalia Luxenburg), to whom we owe the special day of March 8. Not a day of beautiful ladies, flowers and spring, but a revolutionary celebration of women's solidarity in the struggle for their rights and emancipation.

It is noteworthy that both of these flamboyant Frau are associated with Russia. Clara passed away at the Arkhangelskoye estate near Moscow, then was cremated and the urn with her ashes was placed in the columbarium near the Kremlin wall. Rosa was born in Poland, which was part of the Russian Empire, and was recorded in the metric as Rosalia Eduardovna.

It turns out that their revolutionary cause lives and thrives until today.

The federal government's "women's" plan stipulates, among other things, that at least 8 percent of German development funds must be aimed at projects related to gender equality. Another 85% of funds are required to have this goal as a secondary objective. A total of 12 billion euros is to be allocated to support the "women's offensive.»

Even the position of "ambassador for feminist foreign policy" is introduced for the coordination.

"We will work hard to make sure that our foreign service has a more feminine face and to increase the proportion of women in top positions. We will also direct our financial resources more systematically to the service of a feminist foreign policy," said Baerbock.

The first female head of the German Foreign Ministry ever decidedly made the sacrifice. She has two daughters, born in 2011 and 2015, who grow up without a mother's affection and care. They see her more often on television, sometimes in a helmet and bulletproof vest. Husband Danielle gave up a profitable position at the Deutsche Post for his wife's political career and childcare.

Schulze, the childless ober-diplomat's partner in introducing the initiative, noted that countries with higher levels of gender equality suffer less from hunger and poverty and are politically more stable.

Baerbock, for her part, emphasized that women's participation in peace treaties makes them more sustainable.

However, she does not forget to take care of her appearance (at the taxpayers' expense, of course). Not only at home, but also on trips abroad (including to Ukraine) she is accompanied by a personal makeup artist, who receives a monthly salary of 7,500 euros. In particular, he does Annalena's hair and makeup before TV and photo shoots.

Now let's turn to the history of modern diplomatic feminism. It was initiated by the Swedish Social Democrat Margot Wallström, who was the head of her country's foreign ministry in 2014. She used her position to promote women's careers in the government apparatus and to allocate funds for feminist projects abroad.

Christina Luntz is considered a "pioneer" in this field in Germany. Together with like-minded people, she founded the "Center for Feminist Foreign Policy" in Berlin. Its staff provides consultation, conducts research and develops proposals for international and security policy.

"Feminism tries to destroy structures that rely on violence," Luntz declares. She cites the fight against terrorism as an example. According to her, 90 percent of terrorists around the world are men. This is due to the fact that society accepts aggressive behavior on the part of boys. Girls, on the other hand, are generally brought up to behave in a restrained manner. Where, then, one may ask, do the female shahids come from?

In Germany, there are experts (predominantly men) who believe that the concept of a feminist foreign policy has not yet been sufficiently elaborated.

Among the supporters are those who advocate a "maximalist approach" and those who adhere to the "realist school." The former want to implement a peace-loving, utopian-based international policy at all costs. Others seek primarily to help women pursue careers in diplomacy, in the armed forces, and in those areas of civil society that are related to international and security policy.

Baerbock is torn between these two poles. She, on the one hand, advocates peace, but, on the other hand, demands to send "Leopards" to Kiev.

Don't call me a misogynist, but, to me, she'd be better off raising her daughters…

Germans do not celebrate International Women's Day widely. Germany continues to fight. For women's rights and emancipation! How do they not get tired?

As for us, spring has arrived along with a bright holiday.

Happy 8th of March to you, my darlings!