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.

+4.15M

USD Approved.

+25

Organizations Signed the Commitment.

Governments Signed the Commitment.

"Through the Women Ocean Guardians initiative, I realized I was not alone — I overcame my fear of sharing challenges and discovered the power of sharing strengths. Today, I am proud to uplift and support other women leaders in marine protected areas."

Saily Hernandez Quinde

Women Ocean Guardian and Park Ranger from Ecuador

Ecuador

“When women rise for the ocean, the tides of change become unstoppable. For the heartbeat of the sea is felt strongest in the hands of those who care for it.”

Carolina Alba Ferreras

Directora Areas Protegidas (SINAP), Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

Gobierno de la República Dominicana.

'Women play a key role in blue economy sectors and help drive forward ocean conservation – and yet their voices far too often go unheard in decision-making processes. This must change. It is vital to strengthen gender equality in ocean governance."

Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter

BMUKN

Federal Republic of Germany

"This is what transformation looks like – governments, communities, and funders coming together to back women on the frontlines of conservation. There is no path to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework and SDG 14 without the vision, the 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

Voluntary 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

Pierre Bardoux

Director

09/06/2025

Signed in the name of the ORG.

Global Fund for Coral Reefs

Lina Torres

Programs Director

08/06/2025

Signed in the name of the ORG.

Movilizatorio

María José González-Bernat

Co-director, Ecosystems Program

08/06/2025

Signed in the name of the ORG.

Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA)

Farah Obaidullah

Founder & Director

08/06/2025

Signed in the name of the ORG.

The Oceans and Us

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: