On this UN International Women’s Day 2022 there are so many fearless female ocean warriors we can celebrate, women like Sylvia Earle and Valerie Taylor, who have spent a lifetime fighting for the conservation of our oceans and marine life. Among the many Women of Water, we thought we’d celebrate the achievements of the Sea Women of Melanesia, well-deserved UN Champions of the Earth in the “Inspiration and Action” category.
For the last 3 years these women have been doing groundbreaking marine conservation work in the remote and critically important eastern Coral Triangle biodiversity hotspot, all while dealing with a pandemic, armed sea pirates, power blackouts and a lack of basic medical services. Their passion, bravery, and commitment is inspirational, and it’s wonderful to see their work is being recognised at the highest international levels.
The theme of UN-IWD 2022 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century.
Women are increasingly being recognised as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens the most. At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, and their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action. This International Women’s Day, let’s claim “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.
Find out more about the Sea Women of Melanesia HERE.
To keep up to date with the many ocean conservation programs around the world, join our Diveplanit Ocean Lovers Facebook group.
