A call to action has been issued by researchers from the University of Portsmouth, at this week's UN Ocean Conference in Nice asking governments to take decisive steps to ensure women are equally represented in ocean leadership and decision-making.
While women make up a significant portion of the ocean conservation workforce, they remain severely underrepresented in key leadership positions across institutions and decision-making bodies.
Professor Pierre Failler , UNESCO Chair in Ocean Governance and Director of the Centre for Blue Governance at the University of Portsmouth, said: "The health of the ocean is inextricably linked to how it is governed and who gets a seat at the table. Excluding half the world's population from these decisions limits our collective ability to respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution."
The call comes amid growing recognition that achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires better integration of SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 14 (life below water). Despite progress, systemic barriers - from unsafe working conditions to gender bias and legal discrimination - continue to prevent women from accessing ocean-related leadership roles.
The health of the ocean is inextricably linked to how it is governed and who gets a seat at the table. Excluding half the world's population from these decisions limits our collective ability to respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Professor Pierre Failler , UNESCO Chair in Ocean Governance and Director of the Centre for Blue Governance
"Words alone are no longer enough," said Dr Sophie Quintin, Researcher from the Centre for Blue Governance at the University of Portsmouth. "We welcome the international frameworks recently adopted, including the 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2024 CEDAW General Recommendation on inclusive decision-making. But these must now be matched by political will, resources, and measurable action at every scale. This is why we are adding our voice as researchers to the call and have supported Women for Sea and other charities in the organisation of the side-event on women and ocean sustainability."
Together with other partners, the University of Portsmouth is urging states and non-state actors at all levels - including national governments, regional bodies, and international institutions - to commit to concrete steps. These include:
Enforcing equal representation of women in decision-making bodies related to ocean conservation and the blue economy.
Introducing gender quotas and rotation systems in leadership roles.
Ensuring equal pay, safe working conditions, and access to funding and professional development for women.
Promoting gender-sensitive education and mentorship from early career stages.
Systematically collecting and reporting gender-disaggregated data to monitor progress.
Evidence increasingly shows that the inclusion of women leads to better environmental and economic outcomes. Where women are involved in natural resource management, governance is more equitable, sustainable and resilient.
Words alone are no longer enough.
Dr Sophie Quintin, Researcher from the Centre for Blue Governance at the University of Portsmouth
"The right to a healthy ocean is a human right - and so is the right to participate in shaping its future," said Professor Failler. "Ocean governance cannot be effective or just unless it is inclusive. We need all hands on deck - and that includes women."
As the world struggles with the mounting pressures facing the marine environment, the scientists' message is clear: the time for gender-equal ocean leadership is now.
