Liberia has taken a groundbreaking step by integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment into its foreign policy framework.
This initiative was unveiled during a high-level side event on Feminist Foreign Policies (FFP) at the 38th session of the African Union Summit. The event, titled “Gender Equality in Foreign Policies: Relevance of Feminist Foreign Policies in Africa,” brought together ministers, civil society representatives, academics, development partners, and feminist movements to discuss how African feminist principles can drive transformative governance, peace, and socio-economic development across the continent.
As a pioneer in gender-responsive governance, Liberia showcased its ongoing efforts to embed feminist principles into its foreign policy and governance structures. The event highlighted Liberia’s historic achievements, such as electing Africa’s first female president, appointing the first woman to the UN Security Council, and actively participating in global advocacy as a member of the FFP+ Group in New York. Liberia is now positioned to become one of the first African nations to adopt a Feminist Foreign Policy, setting a powerful example for the continent.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, opened the event by emphasizing the transformative potential of gender equality in foreign policies. “Liberia is committed to advancing Gender Equality in Foreign Policy, as true gender equality demands full, fair, and inclusive transformation,” she stated.
Foreign Minister Nyanti called for equal and meaningful representation of women in all spheres, underscoring Liberia’s leadership in championing feminist principles globally.
Dr. Kayitesi Jeanne Flora, Head of the Gender Policy Division at the African Union Commission, reiterated the African Union’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment as central to Agenda 2063. She praised Liberia’s efforts to lead by example and stressed the importance of gender-responsive policies in achieving the continent’s development goals.
The event took place at a pivotal moment, with five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. It also coincided with the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Mr. Houinato Maxime, UN Women’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, highlighted the significance of 2025 as a critical year for advancing gender equality. He noted that nearly 25% of member states have integrated gender-responsive measures into their foreign policies, as revealed by the recent analysis of B+30 national reports. This approach is seen as a pathway to mainstreaming gender equality and promoting women’s rights through bilateral and multilateral engagements.
Mr. Houinato also emphasized the importance of gender-responsive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in fostering inclusive economic growth. “It is imperative to integrate gender considerations in investment policies to drive inclusive and equitable growth,” he stated, underscoring the need for policies that actively promote women’s empowerment.
France, representing development partners, shared its experience in adopting a Feminist Diplomacy Strategy in 2019. The French representative highlighted the importance of prioritizing gender in diplomacy and demonstrated how feminist principles can be integrated into foreign policy to promote gender equality and women’s rights globally.
The side event concluded with actionable recommendations to advance gender equality and feminist governance, including:
– A commitment from all stakeholders to collaborate with the Liberian government to make Feminist Foreign Policy a reality and a strategy for transformative change.
– A call to establish a Group of Friends of Gender Equality at the African Union level to advance gender-responsive foreign policies.
– Continued consultations at regional and national levels to ensure Liberia’s journey considers diverse contexts.
– The critical role of funding research, data generation, and documenting African knowledge to strengthen the evidence base for gender-responsive foreign policies.
Liberia’s commitment to gender equality in foreign policy aligns with its national development priorities, including the National Development Plan (2024-2026) ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the revised National Gender Policy. As Liberia continues its journey toward gender equality, it remains steadfast in building a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all. The side event marked a pivotal moment in advancing transformative governance in Africa, demonstrating Liberia’s resolve to lead by example on the global stage.
