CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum Launched, Honors Six Women Leaders in Marine Conservation

An innovative platform to highlight the role of women leaders in protecting and sustaining the world’s epicenter of marine biodiversity was launched on May 13 at the sidelines of the World Coral Reef Conference in Manado, Indonesia.

Supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) and other development partners, the launch was one of several CTI-CFF side events scheduled during the week-long WCRC.

The new “CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum” is a peer-learning network for women leading programs and projects that promote marine and coastal resource management. The forum also aims to empower women to take a more active role in preserving and sustaining the region’s unique marine and coastal resources.

During the launch, the Forum honored six women leaders from Coral Triangle countries and provided small grants to continue and expand their activities. The honorees are:

• Marta Lotang, Indonesia – Leader of CBO Cinta Persahabatan in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, advocating against dynamite fishing and other unsustainable fishing practices.
• Francesca Ngo Winfield, Malaysia – Chairperson and founder of the Kudat Turtle Conservation Society in Sabah, promoting community-based sea turtle conservation and reducing illegal fishing.
• Piwen Langarap, Papua New Guinea – Program coordinator of the Manus Environment Communities Conservation Network, leading the development and management of a locally managed marine area.
• Alma Bool, Philippines – Treasurer of Sama Samang Nagkakaisang Pamayanan ng Silonay in Oriental Mindoro, enhancing climate resilience through coastal protection and a 42-hectare protected mangrove forest.
• Moira Dasipio, Solomon Islands – President of the Mother’s Union in Isabel Province, promoting community-based conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
• Robela Mendes, Timor-Leste – Leader of the Com Women’s Group in Nino Konis Santana National Park, supporting alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on fisheries resources.

“What you have achieved in your communities is truly inspiring. You are role models for everyone,” said Alfred Nakatsuma, Regional Environment Office Director at USAID/RDMA, adding, “Women not only achieve for the present, but also lay the seeds for the next generation to do it better.”

The panel discussion with women leaders from the private sector and media emphasized the need to change mindsets and learn from women entrepreneurs who are leading in sustainable and effective business management. Communications tools such as green community radio programs were highlighted as highly effective in reaching people in remote areas throughout the Coral Triangle region.

The launch followed a 12-day peer exchange in the United States, sponsored by USAID/RDMA, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Coral Triangle Center, where 13 women leaders from Coral Triangle countries met with their counterparts in Washington, DC, and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to prepare an action plan highlighting women’s contributions to marine conservation.

Sponsors of the CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum launch include the CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat, Indonesia’s CTI-CFF National Coordinating Committee, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, USAID, Coral Triangle Center, U.S. Department of the Interior, The Nature Conservancy, World Wide Fund for Nature, and Asian Development Bank.