Valuing women in the blue economy

Just 1.2% of seafarers are women. In March we mark International Women’s Day and Gender Equality month as an opportunity to reflect on the deep gender divides and inequalities that exist across ocean industries, while celebrating the (often undervalued) contributions of women towards the burgeoning blue economy.

To bridge the gender gap and shape a truly sustainable, prosperous future, actionable transformation is needed. Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative interviewed four speakers from this year’s World Ocean Summit who are making waves across the male-dominated ocean community. This month’s infographic highlights the intersection of women, ocean health and the blue economy. And our guest blogger Wietse van der Werf of the Sea Ranger Service shines a light on women’s representation in emerging maritime roles.


A selection of recent highlights from the World Ocean Initiative:


Women of the 9th annual World Ocean Summit: breaking barriers in the blue economy

As part of a continued celebration of women in the blue economy, we interviewed four speakers from this year’s World Ocean Summit who are making waves across the male-dominated ocean community.

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Infographic: valuing women in the blue economy

Gender equity in ocean-related matters is severely lacking. Learn more about the intersection of women, ocean health and the blue economy. 

Read more here



Addressing the gender gap in ocean-based careers

Guest writer Wietse van der Werf of the Sea Ranger Service shines a light on women’s representation in emerging maritime roles.

Read more here



3rd annual Ocean Changemakers Challenge: the next wave of innovators

Are you working on game-changing solutions for a sustainable blue economy? Apply to be an Ocean Changemaker and showcase your ideas on a global stage. Supported by Destination Canada

Read more here




From the Initiative’s partners and supporters: 


An announcement from Blancpain

To date, World Ocean Summit’s founding supporter Blancpain has contributed to the protection of over four million square kilometres of marine areas across the globe. This year, the brand’s commitment to safeguarding the ocean continues with the announcement of a new partnership with PADI, the world’s largest dive training organisation. Together, Blancpain and PADI are joining forces in order to increase the number of MPAs and help protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. 


Chemical pollution and climate change

Is chemical pollution a key anthropogenic challenge on a par with climate change and biodiversity loss? Charles Goddard, editorial director at Economist Impact speaks to Pascal Lamy, president of the Paris Peace Forum, and Naoko Ishii, director at the Centre for the Global Commons at University of Tokyo, about marine chemical pollution in a broader context.

Listen to the podcast here


Upcoming events


World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit, Powering the next phase in blue growth, October 4th-5th 2022, Halifax, Canada

Find out more here



2nd annual World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific, November 29th-30th, Singapore

Find out more here


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