INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2022

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2022

A note from the Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat on the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March 2022:

Celebrating Women Empowerment in Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Conservation

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), through the Regional Secretariat, joins all nations in celebrating International Women’s Day 2022.

In the Coral Triangle (CT) region, where the majority of fisheries are small-scale and communities are highly dependent on marine resources, women contribute through post-harvest activities such as processing, trade, and distribution, and, more importantly, ensure food security for their families and communities.

Women leaders have also emerged in the CT region and continue to contribute to sustainable fisheries and marine conservation in research, public administration, and advocacy related to sustainability and community development.

CTI-CFF believes that women play a major role in the management of marine and coastal ecosystem resources. Through the Women Leaders’ Forum (WLF), CTI-CFF has significantly built capacity and raised awareness among women to address the challenges of marine conservation and promote sustainable development practices in communities.

Through the WLF, CTI-CFF developed a draft Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy to provide direction for promoting and mainstreaming GESI in all activities in the six CTI-CFF member countries, among strategic partners, and within the Regional Secretariat.

The GESI Policy, approved by member countries during the 16th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in December 2021, is intended to address existing gender inequalities, reduce disparities, and ensure equal opportunities, rights, and respect for all individuals regardless of gender or social identity in CTI-CFF areas. Member countries also agreed to integrate the GESI policy into interventions and programs implemented by CTI-CFF.

Strategic partners have contributed to CTI-CFF activities, supporting WLF and GESI implementation. CTI-CFF is also partnering with USAID SUFIA RTI through the Local Capacity Development Activity, which includes capacity building on GESI and other CTI-CFF projects.

Looking forward, CTI-CFF remains resolute in ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion are practiced in all aspects of CTI-CFF initiatives, despite the challenges brought by COVID-19 over the past two years. We believe these efforts will improve livelihoods, social security, and contribute to higher economic productivity and more efficient governance of marine resources.

We at CTI-CFF will continue to build sustainable pathways for women to contribute and fully benefit from progress and development in their respective countries.

We must maintain momentum and continue building sustainable opportunities for women to nurture, contribute, and fully benefit from the progress and development of our marine natural resources.

DR. MOHD. KUSHAIRI MOHD. RAJUDDIN
Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat