A major milestone for gender-inclusive ocean conservation has been reached as 26 women leaders from 11 African countries officially launched the African chapter of the Women Ocean Guardians initiative during the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. At the same event, the six member states of the Coral Triangle Initiative signed the Women Ocean Guardians Voluntary Commitment, expanding global support for women-led marine governance to 14 national governments, reported by WCSNewsroom
What You Need to Know
The development marks the first formal expansion of the Women Ocean Guardians movement into Africa, transforming what began as a Latin America and Caribbean initiative into an increasingly global coalition committed to advancing women’s leadership in ocean conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable blue economies.
Africa’s Ocean Leaders Unite
Ahead of the conference, women serving as marine protected area managers, artisanal fishers, conservation practitioners, and coastal community leaders from 11 African nations gathered along Kenya’s southern coastline for a two-day workshop.
The meeting culminated in the adoption of the African Women Ocean Guardians Declaration, a joint statement urging governments, civil society, international organisations, and the private sector to strengthen protections and opportunities for women working in marine and coastal environments.
The declaration prioritises four key areas:
- Addressing gender-based violence in coastal communities.
- Ensuring safe and dignified working conditions.
- Expanding healthcare and reproductive rights for coastal women.
- Removing barriers preventing women from participating in ocean governance and decision-making.
Among the delegates was Nigerian coastal conservation leader Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, who emphasised that women are shaping practical solutions for healthier oceans rather than simply responding to environmental challenges.
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Six Coral Triangle Nations Expand Global Commitment
A significant boost to the initiative came as the six member countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative—Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—signed the Women Ocean Guardians Voluntary Commitment.
Their endorsement raises the number of participating governments from eight to fourteen and strengthens international efforts to integrate gender equality into national ocean policies, biodiversity planning, conservation financing, and marine governance across the Indo-Pacific region.
The Coral Triangle represents one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, containing approximately 76 percent of known coral species and supporting hundreds of millions of people through fisheries, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods.
Building a Global Movement
The Women Ocean Guardians initiative was launched during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice through a partnership led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Conservation International, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Since then, the movement has expanded steadily, attracting government endorsements and institutional partners while securing funding to scale women-led marine conservation initiatives across multiple regions. Expansion into Africa and Southeast Asia represents the next phase of its global strategy.
Implications
The expansion reflects growing international recognition that achieving global biodiversity, climate, and ocean protection targets requires greater participation of women in leadership and decision-making. By embedding gender equity into marine conservation policies, participating governments aim to improve ecosystem resilience, strengthen coastal livelihoods, and deliver more inclusive governance across vulnerable coastal regions.
Conclusion
The launch of the African Women Ocean Guardians network and the commitment by the six Coral Triangle nations represent an important step in reshaping global ocean governance. With 14 governments now backing the initiative, Women Ocean Guardians is evolving into a worldwide platform that places women at the centre of marine conservation, sustainable blue economy development, and climate resilience efforts.
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