Zoom link:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqcO6urjsoH9eULJRV8ZIhyYuuc7KZldH

WHO:

The Women in Blue Economy Workshop is being organized by the African Union Commission (AUC). 

Objective of the workshop:

The workshop aims to:

• Identify and understand gaps in women’s participation in various sectors of the blue economy;
• Explore opportunities and partnerships and identify tangible areas of intervention with concrete outcomes for encouraging women’ participation in the blue economy;
• Provide a platform for African women to set out their priorities with view to ensure that these are streamlined in international programmes, funding modalities and positions on blue economy;
• Support stocktaking on data and statistics on women professionals in all sea related activities;
• Promote women in ocean and water science in celebration of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development;

African Union Headquarters P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia au.int

Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 78 44

OVERVIEW:

The attainment of Africa’s integration and developmental objectives rests on its two main assets: its natural and human capitals.

The African continent is endowed with a vast and rich network of aquatic resources, which can form the basis of a thriving blue economy. Africa’s blue economy encompasses the protection, understanding and sustainable management and use of these resources, which underpin sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine transport and infrastructure, biotechnology, among others. Africa’s oceans and marine and aquatic resources also contribute to global ecosystem services and are a key asset in the fight against climate change. The African Union recognises the untapped potential of these resources. 

In the same vein, noting that women are an important asset in unlocking this potential, there is an urgent need to discuss pathways to support the meaningful participation of women in the blue economy. The contribution of women to the value chain in the fisheries, tourism and science sectors is key.

As such, a Women in Blue Economy Workshop is being organised on 16-17 June

2022 in hybrid format to promote women’s participation in and contribution to the blue economy in Africa, by identifying bottlenecks, as well as brainstorming solutions to resolve them and concretise entry points to various blue economy sectors.

This meeting will bring together a range of multisectoral high-profile and inspirational stakeholders to discuss tangible, actionable ways of supporting women in the blue economy in Africa.

Media contact:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Email:

MolaletT@africa-union.org | Tel. +251-911-630-631 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

For further information: 

Mr. Kibruyisfa Nega | Department of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | Email: kibruyisfan@africa-union.org African Union Commission | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia