In a brief session in the framework of the 5th UN Ocean Forum, this event aims to foster dialogue about women's participation in the ocean economy. Jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Chile to the WTO and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the session will explore how value addition in blue economy sectors can create opportunities for women, while also addressing the challenges and barriers they may face in accessing and benefiting from these opportunities.
A number of reports and previous events in recent years have addressed the participation of women in the ocean economy, describing the realities in different sectors and countries, in particular in the developing world, and identifying challenges and opportunities.
According to reports from UNCTAD and the World Bank, women play a significant role in blue economy sectors, including fisheries, aquaculture, processing and trading of marine products and coastal tourism, among others. Their contribution, however, has often been overlooked and undervalued and they usually hold low-paying and least protected jobs in value chains.
In a 2023 WTO Public Forum event on women in the blue economy , it was highlighted that men and women have different roles, operate on different scales and serve different markets, recognizing that women have important participation in the fisheries, seaweed and aquaculture sectors. It was noted, however, that their role in these sectors is often unrecognized and there remains a significant lack of data on their participation. As in other sectors, women in the ocean economy are underrepresented in governance and decision making, while they face traditional hurdles such as wage disparities and labor market segregation, limited access to credit, local markets and technical training. Women are also more exposed to new challenges arising from the modernization of these sectors, global fish trade and the direct consequences of climate change, pollution and overfishing on local livelihoods.
This event looks to bring together representatives from international organizations, the private sector and entrepreneurs in order to reflect collectively on women's participation in the blue economy in the context of value addition. Gaining insights from practical experience and recent research, the event will provide a platform to identify strategic priorities as well as challenges and opportunities for enhancing women’s meaningful and equitable participation in the sector.
5:15 - Welcome remarks
5:20–5:45 - Reflections
5:45–6:00 - Questions and comments from the floor
Moderator: Ximena Alcayaga, Division of Multilateral Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile
Opening remarks: Ms. Luz Maria de la Mora, Director, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Panellists:
- Ms. Jennifer Gee, Fishery Officer, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO
- Ms. Mariangela Linoci, Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, Gender and Development Programme, UNCTAD
- Ms. Alejandra Allendes, Co-founder and CEO, QUELP (Chile)
- Ms. Sharleen Oduor, IP and Gender Fellow, Patents and Technology Sector, WIPO
- Ms. Jacinta María Ramirez Ramirez, Deputy Secretary of the Conil Fishermen's Guild and member of the Ad Hoc Women's Group of the National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds (Spain)
Luz Maria de la Mora is the Director of UNCTAD's Division on International Trade and Commodities. As a former Vice-Minister for International Trade and decades of government and private sector positions, Ms. de la Mora developed a career in international trade policy, negotiation, operations, and trade promotion.
During her tenure as Vice-Minister for International Trade of Mexico from 2018 to 2022, Ms. de la Mora led Mexico's trade and investment policy, overseeing fourteen free trade agreements with 51 countries. To bolster Mexico's development, she steered discussions in the World Trade Organization, the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and Pacific Alliance, among others. She also coordinated policy dialogues and handled private sector consultations.
Ms. de la Mora holds a PhD in Political Science from Yale University, USA, a Master's degree in International Affairs from Carleton University, Canada, and a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from El Colegio de México, Mexico.
She is fluent in English and Spanish, and proficient in French.
Committed and a leader in the fishing sector in Conil, daughter and granddaughter of sailors, she has a Higher Degree in Administration and Finance and a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Cadiz.
In 2002 she began working in the administrative area of the Conil Fishermen's Association, and in 2011 she became part of the Technical team of the Organisation of Artisanal Fishing Producers Lonja de Conil (OPP72), where she works advising members on all administrative issues that they require and as Project Director of the aforementioned Organisation, specialising in FEMPA funds.
She combines her work with the Torre de Castilnovo Association of Women of the Sea (Con il) where she works as Secretary.
