By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Africa Command in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and the Mission of Iceland to Sierra Leone, are hosting the inaugural African Maritime Gender Network (AMGN) Conference on “Gender Considerations in Maritime Security,” on January 14-15, 2025, at the Radisson Blu in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement on Monday.
Key speakers will include
- Hon. Ambassador Bryan D. Hunt, Head of Mission, U.S. Embassy Freetown
- Hon. Ambassador Robert Scott, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement
- Hon. Ásdís Bjarnadóttir, Head of Mission, Chargé d’affaires of Iceland to Sierra Leone
- Mr. William Moeller, Foreign Policy Advisor at U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa
Participants will include Maura Barry, Senior Development Advisor at AFRICOM representing USAID, and military and civilian representatives from Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Namibia, Gabon, Liberia, and Nigeria.
The conference will focus on such topics as Gender Considerations in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) in the Gulf of Guinea; Increasing Female Participation in the Security Sectors/Decision Making; How Gender Affects International, Humanitarian, and Maritime Law; and Economic Empowerment: Why Women Matter in the Maritime Sector.
The goal of the conference is to foster dialogue on ways to counter maritime threats through a gender perspective. It will provide a platform for experts and stakeholders to share insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for enhancing gender inclusion in the maritime sector. This event underscores the commitment of the U.S. and its partners to promoting gender equality and enhancing maritime security in Africa through defense, diplomacy, and development.