From 14–17 June 2026, our Director of Gender, Youth and Inclusive Programming, Baviina Safia Musah, joined 26 guardians from 11 African countries in Kenya for the Women Ocean Guardians Africa Convening, held on the margins of the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa. This landmark gathering marked the establishment of the Africa Regional Hub and the presentation of a shared statement calling for bold actions for women, healthier oceans, and more resilient communities.
The convening brought together women frontliners, conservation practitioners, and advocates to align on a common vision. Participants visited mangrove restoration sites managed by women and explored how coastal women are turning waste into wealth – living proof that women are not just beneficiaries of ocean governance, but its most powerful drivers.
Women Ocean Guardians is a public-private initiative that elevates women on the frontlines of ocean conservation and sustainable use. To date, 8 governments and over 25 organizations worldwide have signed the Voluntary Commitment. This movement is growing into a global hub for strengthening women’s voices, advancing gender equity, and transforming ocean governance sustainable outcomes.
Ghana is globally recognized for its strides in fisheries and ocean management. GFRA returns from Kenya inspired and committed to work alongside the Government of Ghana to implement bold, transformative actions that fully realize women’s leadership in small-scale fisheries, coastal livelihoods, and ocean governance.
The ocean cannot wait. Neither can women.
