Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard at the Women Ambassador Network

Excellencies, ladies - there are no gentlemen here right?, 

It’s a pleasure to be here surrounded by so many bright women. 

Let me start by expressing my gratitude to the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Ms Enass Alshawan and the Ambassador of Thailand Ms Arunrung Phothong Humphreys for generously hosting this event. 

One of the first things I did as Minister for Foreign Affairs was to speak at the opening of the UN General Assembly. My delegation was one of few that was led and represented by a woman. Only one tenth of the nearly 200 speakers at UNGA were women. 

65 years before I stood at the podium at the General Assembly in New York, Sweden’s Agda Rössel was appointed as the first-ever female diplomat to the UN.

When Agda was appointed, there was an uproar at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, a debate in the Riksdag and a smear campaign in the Swedish press. Many doubted her, but she ended up working as a Swedish ambassador for almost two decades. She fought for the abolition of the death penalty and against female genital mutilation. Agda made great contributions for her country. 

I believe every one of us has a responsibility to continue this work. 

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality of rights and opportunities between men and women.

We are currently seeing the regression of gender equality worldwide. 

In countries such as Afghanistan and Iran, the oppression of women and girls is so widespread and systematic that it intends “to suppress women and girls into total submission’’ according to the Special Rapporteurs. 

This year, Sweden holds the Presidency of the UN Women Executive Board. We see this as a unique platform to advance global gender equality efforts, through which we will particularly highlight the importance of women’s economic empowerment.

When women work and earn their own money, their self-determination increases. But also, when women work, economies grow.

This needs to start in early life. Economic empowerment of women starts with girls going to school. Girls getting to grow up free and safe and having the opportunity to shape their own lives. We must all do our part to create a better future for the girls and women of today and tomorrow.

After this weekend, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the future of Ukraine. I was in Munich and the atmosphere was somber to say the least. I’m not going to talk about the outcomes of the weekend, but I can say this: war and violent conflicts have devastating consequences for women and girls. 

But women are resilient. Women are holding their communities together. Today, every other business in Ukraine was founded by a woman. 

There is strong evidence suggesting that women’s participation in peace processes contributes to longer, more resilient peace after conflict. Yet, despite this, women remain largely invisible in, and excluded from, peace processes and negotiations. This must change. 

Women’s full participation in politics, the economy, the media – in all areas of public life – is essential to achieve peaceful and sustainable development. 

Let me assure you that my government and I continue to fight and stand up for gender equality. Sweden has seen unique results on gender equality – even if not everything is perfect – and we have a unique voice in the world in these matters. Gender equality is not only a goal in itself, but also the smart thing to do. 

Thank you!