The inaugural African Maritime Gender Network (AMGN) Conference, themed “Gender Considerations in Maritime Security,” begins today, January 14, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown.
The two-day event, organized by U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, and the Mission of Iceland to Sierra Leone, highlights efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen maritime security across Africa.
The conference features high-profile speakers, including Ambassador Bryan D. Hunt, Head of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown; Ambassador Robert Scott, AFRICOM Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement; Ásdís Bjarnadóttir, Chargé d’Affaires of Iceland to Sierra Leone; and William Moeller, Foreign Policy Advisor at U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. Among the attendees is Maura Barry, Senior Development Advisor at AFRICOM representing USAID, alongside military and civilian representatives from Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Namibia, Gabon, Liberia, and Nigeria.
Discussions will center on critical issues such as gender considerations in combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) in the Gulf of Guinea, increasing women’s participation in security sectors and decision-making, the impact of gender on international, humanitarian, and maritime law, and the economic empowerment of women in the maritime sector.
The conference aims to foster dialogue on addressing maritime threats through a gender lens, creating a platform for experts and stakeholders to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for enhancing gender inclusion in the maritime industry. This initiative underscores the commitment of the United States, Iceland, and their African partners to advancing gender equality and strengthening maritime security through defense, diplomacy, and development.
