Feminist approaches in development cooperation and foreign policy aim to transform patriarchal power structures for the benefit of equal participation, rights, and access to resources for all – a basic prerequisite for sustainable development and peace. However, the necessary transformation of discriminatory power structures within conflict contexts is challenging. Feminist actors encounter growing political opposition by powerful actors on national and international levels. But resistance is also growing at a social level, in families, societal subgroups and political movements. It is necessary to identify ways to address this resistance and increasingly polarizing social climate as well as create and strengthen cooperation. However, a closer look reveals dilemmas: i. a. there is a desire to strengthen local feminist approaches, while accusations of importing Western values are raised. Increased support for feminist actors also harbours the risk of increased exposure and real dangers for them.

How do peacebuilding practitioners and feminist actors navigate resistance in transforming power structures and root causes of conflict?