MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE
2 Port Royal Street, Kingston
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Minister Johnson Smith to Co-chair Women Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto
Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, and her Canadian counterpart, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, will co-chair a two-day meeting of Women Foreign Ministers in Toronto, Canada, commencing on Thursday (September 19). The Meeting, which is being organised under the theme ‘Women’s participation in governance and the impact of disinformation’, will see Minister Johnson Smith leading discussions on issues affecting women’s roles in public spaces, including political leadership and governance.
In expressing appreciation to Minister Joly for the invitation to co-chair the event, Minister Johnson Smith said the move to bring women foreign ministers together in a structured forum, provides a vital platform to help address challenges women face today in their efforts towards building more inclusive, equal and sustainable societies.
“As the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action draws near, this meeting provides a timely opportunity for us Foreign Ministers to deliberate on solutions to the barriers that limit women’s participation in politics and governance. I look forward to us working together as we seek to advance efforts to achieve SDG 5 on the empowerment of women and girls”, Minister Johnson Smith said.
The Ministers will discuss strategies for empowering women in leadership roles in peacebuilding and driving social change on the frontlines of conflict in pubic and digital spaces. The Meeting’s agenda will also include engagements with civil society representatives and discussions on enhancing global peace and security efforts, advancing women’s leadership in diplomacy and addressing the ongoing challenge of violence against women.
“By sharing experiences and insights, we can build stronger connections and develop strategies to address challenges linked to women’s equal and full engagement in politics, even as we combat gendered disinformation which undermines the work of women leaders. Through this meeting, we are taking action in ensuring women continue to lead in decision-making processes, especially in securing global peace and security – and I commend Minister Joly for this initiative”, Senator Johnson Smith added.
In August, Minister Johnson Smith participated virtually in a Women’s Empowerment Conference organised by the resident diplomatic corps in South Africa. The Foreign Minister noted that the upcoming discussions with women foreign ministers in Canada offers an opportunity to further share how key policies such as the National Policy on Gender Equality (2011) and the recently implemented Sexual Harassment Act (2021), can support the empowerment of women. “Just last month, I addressed the conference in Pretoria virtually, where I discussed how women are transforming barriers into pathways for empowerment, and I am happy and honoured to share from that experience with colleague Ministers in Canada”, the Minister said.
Minister Johnson Smith is Jamaica’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a global policy framework adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China. It outlines guidelines and actions to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment globally. The framework addresses critical areas such as women’s political and economic participation, education, health, violence against women, and rights in armed conflicts. It also emphasises women’s roles in leadership and decision-making at all levels.
