Gender Considerations In Maritime Society Conference Concludes In Freetown
By Marilyn King
The inaugural African Maritime Gender Network (AMGN) conference on “Gender Considerations in Maritime Security” concluded yesterday 13th January 2025 in Freetown. The two-day event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, was a collaboration between U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Africa Command, the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, and the Mission of Iceland to Sierra Leone.
The conference, which began on January 14 and wrapped up on January 15, brought together participants from across Africa to discuss the intersection of gender and maritime security.
In her remarks, Iceland’s Head of Mission and Charge d’Affaires to Sierra Leone, Asdis Bjarnadottir, emphasized the importance of tackling two significant global challenges: achieving gender equality and safeguarding maritime security. She highlighted that these issues are especially relevant to coastal nations that depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
“We believe that gender equality is central to building inclusive, just societies,” Bjarnadottir said. “At the same time, protecting maritime resources is vital for ensuring economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and security for all.”
The Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement at U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Ambassador Robert Scott, spoke about the collective concerns shared by the conference’s diverse participants, who represented more than 13 countries. He pointed out that in Sierra Leone, 10% of the workforce is employed in the fishing industry, underscoring the critical role that the sea plays in the country’s economy.
“If we do not work together to protect these resources, we are failing future generations,” Scott warned.
Ambassador Bryan Hunt, Head of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, reiterated the importance of ensuring that the Sierra Leonean government has the capacity to combat illegal fishing activities. He stressed the need for effective enforcement measures, saying, “We must apply real penalties to make people feel the consequences of illegal actions.”
The American Ambassador also noted the value of regional collaboration, emphasizing that the conference provided a platform for Sierra Leoneans to engage with officials from neighboring countries like Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, and Namibia. “If a ship is fishing illegally in Sierra Leone, it is likely fishing illegally in neighboring territories as well,” he said.
The conference featured a wide range of speakers, including Maura Barry, Senior Development Advisor at AFRICOM, who represented USAID. Military and civilian representatives from countries such as Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Namibia, Gabon, Liberia, and Nigeria also participated.
Key topics at the event included gender considerations in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) in the Gulf of Guinea; increasing female participation in security and decision-making roles; the impact of gender on international, humanitarian, and maritime law; and the importance of women’s economic empowerment in the maritime sector.
The goal of the conference was to foster dialogue on addressing maritime security threats through a gender-inclusive lens. It provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to share insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for enhancing gender inclusion in the maritime industry.
The event underscored the continued commitment of the U.S. and its partners to promoting gender equality and improving maritime security in Africa through defense, diplomacy, and development efforts.
