Foreign Minister Wallström’s speech at Wikigap
Wikipedia is the world’s largest encyclopaedia. It is the website we automatically go to when we need information on virtually any topic. But there’s a problem. Like the rest of the world, Wikipedia is far from gender equal. There are four times more articles about men than there are about women. Four times. Nine out […]
UN Secretary General’s message for women’s day
We are at a pivotal moment for women’s rights. The historical and structural inequalities that have allowed oppression and discrimination to flourish are being exposed like never before. From Latin America to Europe to Asia, on social media, on film sets, on the factory floor and in the streets, women are calling for lasting change […]
EU has to step up in fight against plastic waste
Every minute, about 15 tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean. The seas, so fundamental to human life, are rapidly being filled with water bottles, abandoned fishing gear and plastic toys that we have cleared from our homes. Sweden and many other countries have developed policies aimed at combating problems related to plastic. […]
SheDecides has grown into a global power
Sixteen million young girls and teenagers give birth each year – most of whom live in low-income countries. Unwanted and forced pregnancies can be prevented. But the right to contraception and safe abortions is currently under attack. This is why one year ago today, Sweden and four other countries launched SheDecides – a movement that […]
Liberia’s 2017 elections in retrospect
In his inaugural address on 22 of January, 2018, the new President of Liberia, Mr. George M. Weah, said that “today, Liberians have reached an important stage on the road to freedom, justice and democracy …“. In fact, it was the end-2017 elections that, for a variety of reasons, some of which were presented in […]
Liberians voted for equal fighting chance
Registered voters in 14 of the 15 counties of Liberia voted overwhelmingly for George Manneh Weah for president over Joseph N. Boakai for equal fighting chance. They voted to end the old patronage political culture, which has been killing the country for more than a century; Jarwinken Wiah writes. Equal fighting chance is the one […]
South Africa’s Strategic Priorities for Reform and Renewal
Cyril Ramaphosa has come to power in South Africa as the head of a party and government deeply divided between reformists and those with a vested interest in maintaining entrenched patronage relationships. Under Jacob Zuma, corruption and abuse of office reached alarming levels, sapping public trust and costing the ruling ANC significant support. Zuma faces […]
Sweden’s Foreign Policy Statement for 2018
On 14 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström presented the 2018 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag (Parliament): Mr/Madam Speaker, Honourable Members, Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen, This year marks 100 years since the Riksdag decided to make the right to vote universal and equal for both women and men. […]
Protecting children today prevents conflicts tomorrow
In Yemen, one child dies every ten minutes because of extreme hunger and disease resulting from conflict. Close to 10 million children remain at risk; bearing the brunt of a crisis that they hold no responsibility for, or control over. In Syria, schools – where children should find safety – are regularly attacked; denying them […]
Sirleaf’s legacy: Lots of talk but little progress
The first elected woman head of state in Africa, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has just stepped down from her office in Liberia. Her successor George Weah assumed the position on 22 January 2018. In a recent interview with CNN entitled “Why Africa owes a debt of gratitude to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf”, President Sirleaf and journalist Chude […]
