When Women Lead, the Ocean Thrives: Meet the Champions Steering the Change in EAS

 

 

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark blueprint for women’s rights, this year’s International Women’s Day underscores an urgent call to action: unlocking equality and empowerment for all women and girls, especially in sectors where their contributions have been overlooked. Nowhere is this more evident than in the coastal and marine sector, where women are emerging as leaders in sustainability, conservation, and climate resilience.

 

Across the East Asian Seas region, women are transforming their communities by tackling marine pollution, advocating for policy change, and redefining traditional gender roles.

 

In the fishing town of Bulan in the Philippines, Kelly Chua Tan, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) noticed a troubling pattern. “A significant portion of the plastic waste that ends up in our waters comes from the daily provisions packed for [fisherfolk], often in single-use plastics and sachets," she explained.

 

Tan’s observation led to an innovative approach that centers women in waste reduction efforts. "Women play a crucial role in waste management - many are responsible for preparing packed meals for their family members who go out to fish," she said. 
 

 

"By shifting household practices, we can influence the behavior of the fisherfolk themselves, making women key drivers of change in reducing marine waste."

 

Her office's initiatives go beyond prevention to creative solutions. "We empower women and women's groups by teaching them how to repurpose old clothing into reusable materials such as rags and potholders," Tan shared. These efforts have created economic opportunities while addressing environmental challenges.
 

The results speak for themselves. "Many of our street cleaners and shoreline cleaners are women," she noted.  To truly advance sustainability, Tan advocates for the active involvement of  women, ensuring they have a voice, a role, and the opportunity to lead in coastal and marine management.

 

No effort is too small. Tan challenges women and girls to take the leap. “Take that first step, because big changes start with small beginnings. Be bold, take action, and inspire others. Environmental advocacy should not stop with you; it should create a ripple that influences others to join the movement,” says Tan.

 

Making Women's Work Visible

In Indonesia, Yayan Hikmayani is working to bring women's contributions in fisheries out of the shadows. As Head of the Fisheries Extension Centre at the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resource Development, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the National Program Director of ATSEA-2, she saw firsthand how women's roles are often overlooked.

 

"Women are an essential part of coastal and marine communities," Hikmayani stated. "Many women are involved in fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, and trade, yet their roles often go unnoticed."

 

Her work focuses on changing this dynamic. "When women are empowered, they create significant change not only for themselves but also for their families and communities," she explained. "Increasing women's participation in productive economic activities can directly contribute to improving family well-being and driving sustainable solutions for coastal and marine communities."
 

The key, according to Hikmayani, is comprehensive support. "Sustainability is not just about the environment but also about shared prosperity. Support is crucial to enhancing women's participation by providing greater access to training, financial assistance, and decision-making opportunities."

 

The New Wave: Timor-Leste's Youth Movement

 

Isaura Baptista Barros, co-founder and Executive President of the youth organization Laudato Si' Timor-Leste Movement, represents the new generation of environmental leaders. Her work bridges gender equality and climate action in one of the world's youngest nations.

 

"To promote gender equality in the coastal and marine sectors, it is critical to ensure that women and girls have equal access to education, training, and leadership opportunities in marine-related industries," Barros emphasized. She advocates for policies that address systemic barriers while valuing traditional knowledge.
 

"Women play a critical role in environmental management, conservation efforts, and sustainable resource management in coastal and marine communities," she noted. "They often lead initiatives that protect marine biodiversity, promote sustainable fisheries, and advocate for climate resilience in vulnerable coastal areas."

 

Barros's advice to young women reflects her own journey: "Be bold, stay curious, and take action. The field of sustainable coastal and ocean development requires diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and strong leadership from women."

 

Viet Nam's Matriarchal Legacy Meets Modern Environmentalism

 

Viet Nam's unique history of matriarchy informs its contemporary approach to environmental protection. "Historically, in Viet Nam, there has been a fairly long period of matriarchy in primitive society with the important and decisive role of women in the family and society," explained Kim Oanh, the National Coordinator for the Integrated River Basin Management in Viet Nam.
 

This legacy continues today through nationwide networks addressing water pollution. "Mobilizing women's participation through regular activities of women's associations at all levels is particularly effective," Oanh noted, citing initiatives around "waste management, waste separation at source, recycling, reusing (3R, 4R) or practicing the habit of saving water."

 

The Women’s Union recognizes women's dual roles: "Women still play an important role in housework, health care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for families. Therefore, women understand better than anyone else the changes and impacts of water quality on their family life," she said.

 

Cross-Border Solidarity

Dr. Sunwook (Sunny) Hong, founder of OSEAN (Our Sea of East Asia Network) and the Secretary-General for Asia Pacific Civil Forum on Marine Litter, has been a driving force in marine conservation. She collaborated with PEMSEA on the East Asian Seas Initiative on Clean Oceans (EASICO) project, supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea.

 

"Gender equality begins by ensuring women have real access to long-term, meaningful work—not just in participation, but in decision-making," Dr. Hong asserted. With 15 years of experience tackling marine litter, she's witnessed how women drive change differently.

 

"Women naturally lead from the ground up—with care, collaboration, and long-term perspective," Dr. Hong observed. "At OSEAN, I've witnessed how women drive innovation in citizen science, shape policy, and build resilient networks across countries."

 

Her advice to aspiring leaders is both practical and profound: "Start with what moves your heart—what you love. I couldn't tackle every environmental issue, so I focused deeply on marine litter and stayed with it for over two decades. Sustainable development is a long journey, and the key is doing what sustains your energy and joy."

 

Gender equality is inseparable with sustainability. The stories of these women—leaders in science, policy, and community-driven action reflect a growing movement to ensure gender equality is embedded in ocean sustainability efforts. Their work underscores a fundamental truth: when women lead, coastal and marine management becomes more inclusive, resilient, and effective.  

 

Yet, challenges remain. Women make up the majority of the workforce in fisheries and coastal tourism, yet they often occupy the lowest-paid and least-protected roles. According to UNESCO (2024), at COP28, only 15 out of 133 world leaders were women, and globally, just 1% of climate financing reaches women-led organizations. These disparities point to a pressing need for structural changes in governance, research, and funding to close the gender gap.  

 

Recent discussions led by UNESCO and international ocean science experts have reinforced the urgency of integrating gender perspectives into marine conservation, climate adaptation, and economic development. Ensuring that women have equal opportunities to participate not just as contributors, but as decision-makers is essential for long-term sustainability.  

 

Guided by the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) Implementation Plan 2023-2027, PEMSEA and its partners continue to push for policies that recognize and support women’s roles in ocean governance. The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) framework highlights the need for inclusive decision-making, access to resources, and recognition of women’s leadership in marine protection and sustainability.  

 

The road ahead demands action. Women across the East Asian Seas and the world are proving that leadership is not defined by position but by persistence, innovation, and a commitment to change. The call is clear: support efforts, amplify women’s voices, and ensure that the future of ocean sustainability and climate action is one where gender equality is not an afterthought, but a driving force.