This text is part of the special Women’s Leadership booklet
Protecting our oceans and the biodiversity they harbor is essential in the fight against the consequences of climate change. In collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mission Inclusion promotes the empowerment of women in the sustainable management of marine and coastal resources in the Western Indian Ocean.
During COP27, several African leaders called for stronger support for the “Great Blue Wall”. This initiative aims to create interconnected, protected and conserved marine areas to counter the effects of climate change in the Western Indian Ocean region. The joint project of IUCN and Mission Inclusion, Regenerative seascapes for people, climate and natureanswers this call.
It will be deployed in coastal and marine areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar and Comoros, which are notably facing declining fish stocks. IUCN will focus on the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of marine protected areas. These spaces are often delimited around coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, which are home to rich ecosystems threatened by the pressure exerted by human activities.
For its part, Mission inclusion will work with its local partners to strengthen the skills of women and young people in blue entrepreneurship. “We want to increase women’s access to opportunities in the blue economy sector,” says Geneviève Gauthier, director of international programming. The idea is that they have more tools, particularly in terms of advocacy, to defend their rights. »
Exchange workshops will be offered to help them gain confidence in their voice, and access to loans or grants will be facilitated. Training will also be offered on the themes of sustainable management of micro or small businesses. “There will also be opportunities for cohorts of women to participate in incubators set up by local partners and dedicated to larger business projects,” adds Ms.me Gautier.
Nature-based solutions
For Mission Inclusion and IUCN, the goal is to implement nature-based solutions that meet the needs of local communities. Marine ecosystems provide many services to coastal communities around the world. Through fishing and aquaculture, they are also a source of income for hundreds of millions of people, especially low-income families.
“Coastal communities depend enormously on natural resources influenced by climate change, hence the importance of promoting a blue economy,” emphasizes Geneviève Gauthier. The World Bank defines this concept as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and employment, while maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystem”.
The United Nations believes that a blue economy embodies the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic and social. The term thus implies a dimension that is sustainable, but also inclusive and resilient to climate change. “Commercial fishing is often reserved for men, while women and young people are struggling with much less profitable value chains”, continues Ms.me Gautier.
In this perspective of inclusion, the project should benefit 225,000 women, 112,500 men, including young people, and 12,500 people in vulnerable and marginalized situations, including people living with disabilities, ethnic and religious groups. minorities and displaced or migrant persons.
Raising awareness among Quebecers
Huge carbon sinks, the oceans are one of the main reservoirs of biodiversity in the world, hosting some 250,000 known species. They provide half of the oxygen we breathe and absorb about a quarter of the carbon dioxide emissions produced by humans in the atmosphere per year.
In Quebec, Mission inclusion will also raise public awareness of the importance of ocean conservation to combat the climate crisis. While natural disasters are better known as the impacts of climate change, it is essential for the organization to highlight the social and economic consequences of the crisis.
“Seeing that the various governments want to invest in the issue of adaptation to climate change is encouraging,” enthuses Geneviève Gauthier. The project is receiving $30 million in funding over three years under the Government of Canada’s Climate Partnerships.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.