France has embraced feminist diplomacy and extended financial support globally for initiatives aimed at empowering women, announced French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy during a reception held in Dhaka. The event, hosted in collaboration with German Ambassador Achim Tröster, preceded International Women’s Day.

Highlighting France's commitment to feminist foreign policy, Ambassador Masdupuy underscored France's groundbreaking inclusion of abortion rights in its constitution, a historic milestone achieved on Monday. She emphasized France's decision to significantly increase its funding for women's empowerment projects, augmenting the fund by Euro 100 million in addition to the existing Euro 250 million.

Addressing representatives from various NGOs and civil society groups dedicated to women's empowerment, Ambassador Masdupuy emphasized the importance of the fund, particularly for those directly involved in projects supporting women's advancement.

France advocates for gender equality in international forums and seeks to integrate this objective into all facets of global affairs, including inequality reduction, sustainable development, peace and security, defense and promotion of fundamental rights, and climate and economic issues. By 2025, France aims to ensure that 75% of projects funded through its official development assistance contribute to enhancing gender equality.

The recent parliamentary vote on abortion rights in France received strong support, with National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet affirming the country's commitment to upholding women's freedoms and offering solidarity to women worldwide.

Ambassador Masdupuy highlighted the significance of enshrining abortion rights in the constitution, emphasizing the formidable challenge any government would face in attempting to repeal the law.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," underscores the importance of prioritizing women's advancement to drive global development.