Women Ocean Guardians

Transforming Ocean Governance

Women Ocean Guardians is a public-private initiative that elevates women frontliners, de-siloing conservation and sustainable use, to participate in meaningful decision-making, transforming ocean governance for more resilient and sustainable outcomes.

"For too long, women have protected our oceans without a seat at the table. At UNOC3, the Women Ocean Guardians initiative is flipping that paradigm—placing women’s leadership at the forefront of marine conservation and sustainable use, inclusive governance, and the global push to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. There is no path to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework and SDG14 without the vision, knowledge, and leadership of the women who have long been guardians of the sea."

Pamela Castillo

Director, 30x30 Marine

Wildlife Conservation Society

"We won't achieve our conservation goals if women aren't part of the discussion, not just as an added or vulnerable group, but as leaders implementing conservation from the field."

Cindy Quesada

Minister of Women's Affairs

Costa Rica

“[…] all of us together, we are able to support each other and fight for our resources, which is what we have been doing for years.”

Rebeca Gisela Troches López

Woman Ocean Guardian

Guatemala

“No one knows the connection between a thriving ocean and a thriving community like a coastal woman.”

Elena Finkbeiner

Coastal Community Fisheries Director

Conservation International

Areas of Focus

Women on the frontlines of marine conservation and sustainable use are oftentimes invisible to the system. The Women Ocean Guardians initiative helps strengthen their combined leadership and elevate their voice, working together to address the following challenges:

Violence

End gender violence, stigma, and inequality. Protect coastal women’s rights and access to land.

Caregiving

Value caregiving, honor ancestral roles, and promote shared, sustainable care.

Health

Guarantee coastal women clean water, quality care, and reproductive support.

Leadership

Boost marine women’s leadership, rights, and safety in conservation and policy.

Labor

Dignify marine women’s work with fair pay, protection, and local leadership.

Our pilLars

Formalize the Women Ocean Guardians Global Network

Strengthening conservation and sustainable development frameworks by meaningfully engaging women leaders’ voices

Co-design and delivery of a capacity-building program to enhance the skills of coastal women leaders to scale impact.

Knowledge transfer through south-south cooperation and cross-regional exchanges

Monitoring and evaluation to facilitate accountability and adaptive learning

The Commitment

The Voluntary Commitment is a direct response to the Women Ocean Guardians Call to Action, outlining a set of actions and principles that will prove vital in generating the enabling conditions needed for women frontliners to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes in the marine conservation and sustainable use spaces.

signatures

Duygu Aladag Baldauf

Co-founder, Managing Partner

26/05/2025

Signed in the name of the ORG.

ENV GmbH

Jabal Hassanali

Strategy Manager

27/05/2025

Signed in the name of the ORG.

Global Island Partnership (GLISPA)

Ana Giro Petersen

Country Coordinator Guatemala

22/05/2025

Signed as an Individual.

Healthy Reefs for Healthy People

Karen McDonald Gayle

CEO

16/05/2025

Signed as an Individual

How Can I Get Involved?

To begin your journey with the Women Ocean Guardians Initiative, we invite you to explore our two-pager to learn more about the goals and impact of the movement.
Once you’re familiar with the initiative, take a moment to read the Call to Action, which outlines our collective purpose and the change we aim to drive.
Then, review the Voluntary Commitment — this is the pledge you will be signing to show your support.
When you’re ready, simply fill out your information and sign the Voluntary Commitment to officially join the Women Ocean Guardians community, either as an individual or on behalf of your organization.

join the movement

What Comes Next:

The Women Ocean Guardians initiative aims to expand its network beyond Latin America & the Caribbean through the creation of regional hubs in Africa and Southeast Asia Pacific, to further empower women frontliners in marine and coastal ecosystems conservation and management, consolidating their self-governance structures.

FAQs

What differentiates Women Ocean Guardians from other similar initiatives?

Women Ocean Guardians is different from other similar initiatives in that it seeks to de-siloe protectors and producers, centering women frontliners and ensuring the meaningful inclusion of their voices in the marine conservation and sustainable use agendas.

How can I become a supporter?

High-Level Decision-Makers: We invite you to learn more about Women Ocean Guardians and sign the Voluntary Commitment presented above.

Donors: If you would like to support the Women Ocean Guardians initiative expand and consolidate, please reach out to: