Footage Foundation Advocates for Refugee Compassion at Feminist Foreign Policies Conference

The Footage Foundation, a non-profit organization known for its participatory feminist research interventions to combat gender-based violence in conflict zones, was invited to the third Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policies in Mexico City. The conference, themed "Solutions for a Better Tomorrow," gathers leaders from global governments, international bodies, and civil society organizations to address pressing issues such as climate chaos, sexual and reproductive health, peace and security, and migration.

Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, co-founder and Executive Director of Footage Foundation, represents the organization at the conference. According to Dr. Eglinton, Footage Foundation's invitation reflects a critical year marked by widespread violent crises, anti-gender movements, and global elections. The event is a platform for leaders to explore solutions dedicated to gender equality, non-discrimination, and the eradication of gender-based violence.

Refugee girls and women constitute more than half of the refugee population, making them particularly vulnerable during crises and displacement. Dr. Eglinton emphasized that traditional frameworks of diplomacy and policy-making often fall short in addressing the nuanced challenges faced by women, girls, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized communities, especially in crisis settings. Footage Foundation has consistently bridged participatory research with practical outcomes, advocating for inclusive decision-making and compassionate policies.

In 2023, Footage Foundation published a significant report titled Compassion, Connection and Forced Displacement. This report is part of a larger body of work, Explorations of Compassion: The Lived Experiences of Young Women Refugees and Their Communities. It explores compassion-based participatory multi-component interventions with refugee women, combining narratives and personal accounts that illustrate the interplay between individual experiences and the broader sociocultural, political, and physical landscapes of forcibly displaced individuals.

The report calls for approaches that address the specific needs of forcibly displaced women and girls and recognize the power of compassion and connection in providing services to refugees and migrants. It recommends interventions offering non-medicalized mental health support that communicates compassion, recognizing the profound potential these services hold for refugees' wellbeing.

"Connection and compassion are not simply 'add-ons' to programming or interventions with women and girls; they are central to advancing the lives and survival of women and girls," Dr. Eglinton stated. She further highlighted that these elements are crucial for achieving many targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning with the principles of feminist foreign policy and women, peace, and security agendas. Dr. Eglinton advocates for compassionate action and a distinctive dialogue diplomacy approach to bridge gaps between policymakers and affected communities.

The participation of Footage Foundation in the conference signifies a vital step toward creating a future where every individual, especially women and girls in crisis settings, can feel seen, heard, and valued. By promoting compassionate policies and inclusive decision-making, the foundation aims to make significant strides in the global fight for gender equality and the well-being of refugees and migrants.