Liberia is on track to become one of the first African nations to adopt a Gender-Responsive Feminist Foreign Policy (GRFP/FFP), a move hailed by UN Women as groundbreaking for the continent.
Speaking at a validation workshop held in Monrovia, UN Women Liberia Country Representative, Ms. Comfort Lamptey, praised Liberia’s efforts as “pioneering,” noting that the process aligns fully with international standards.
“This commitment is fully aligned with Article 8 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which obligates States to ensure women have equal opportunities to represent their governments abroad,” said Ms. Lamptey.
The workshop, which gathered key stakeholders from government, civil society, and development partners, focused on validating two critical documents: Liberia’s draft Feminist Foreign Policy roadmap and a Gender Assessment Report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ms. Lamptey emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue in shaping policies that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of women across the country.
“By validating these instruments, we are consolidating the contributions of all stakeholders and shaping how the policy will be developed and implemented in practice,” she said.
The draft Feminist Foreign Policy roadmap aims to position gender equality and women’s rights at the center of Liberia’s international relations and foreign policy engagements.
If adopted, Liberia would join a small group of countries globally, including Sweden, Canada, and Mexico that have made feminist foreign policy a central pillar of their diplomacy.
Ms. Lamptey expressed hope that Liberia’s leadership would inspire other African countries to follow suit in promoting gender-responsive governance and diplomacy.
She further highlighted the potential of a feminist foreign policy to attract direct foreign investment that supports gender equality initiatives within the country.
“We are confident that Liberia will continue to lead in championing women’s empowerment in the region,” she added.
UN Women, according to Ms. Lamptey, remains committed to supporting Liberia throughout the process, from policy development to implementation and advocacy.
The validation workshop also provided a platform for stakeholders to share insights, recommendations, and concerns about the proposed policy framework.
Participants acknowledged the boldness of the initiative and called for strong political will, financing, and multi-sectoral coordination to ensure success.
As Liberia edges closer to adopting this transformative policy, advocates believe it could redefine the country’s international engagement and serve as a model for feminist diplomacy in Africa.
