France developing feminist diplomacy – official

Thierry Valentin, the Director of the French Institute in Nigeria, has disclosed that France is now developing a feminist diplomacy aimed at promoting women’s and girls’ rights. 

Valentin disclosed this at “The Night of Ideas” programme at the Institute in Abuja with the theme: “Cities for Women, Feminist Cities”.

“I am proud to tell you that France is now officially developing a feminist diplomacy promoted at the highest level of our foreign policy.

“What does feminist diplomacy mean? It means diplomacy that makes the defence and the promotion of women’s and girls’ rights one of the priorities of our diplomacy and in all fields of work.

“The President of the French Republic has made equality between women and men a priority of his two mandates. We are convinced that we’ll have a more balanced, more peaceful, more sustainable world if equal rights are more than just a wish, but a real achievement.

“It is a major challenge to convince everyone that this call we are making, this desire for greater equality, is for the benefit of all”. 

He emphasised the critical need for increased male involvement in the fight against violence toward women in the country, noting that addressing this societal issue effectively requires men to play a more active role in promoting gender equality and supporting efforts to eradicate violence.

Valentin further disclosed that the French embassy is involved in the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence commencing on the 27th day of November.

He said, “We want to offer a look at Nigerian women’s and feminist collectives and their struggle for women’s rights and safety in public spaces: in the face of adversity, rights violations, insecurity, and violence, how do Nigerian women create a place for themselves in society and the city? That’s the conversation.”

The Cultural Attaché to the French Embassy, Emmanuelle Harane, emphasised the existence of protective laws for women and children in Nigeria, highlighting the need for consistent implementation.

She said, “I think that Nigeria has the legal framework to protect men and women and to protect children as well. The question is about implementation. What do we do properly to implement the laws? How citizens take care of each other and create these safe places that we are all waiting for is important.”