International Women’s Day - 8th March
MarCNoWA Celebrates Women’s Leadership in Marine and Coastal Management on International Women’s Day
In Accra, Ghana – The Marine and Coastal Areas Management in North and West Africa (MarCNoWA) consortium, led by the Regional Marine Centre of the University of Ghana, proudly joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day 2025. Under the theme "Empowering Women for a Sustainable Blue Economy," MarCNoWA highlights the crucial role of women in marine resource management, Earth Observation (EO) services, and environmental sustainability across 18 coastal countries in North and West Africa.
Women at the Forefront of Marine Innovation
MarCNoWA provides six key EO services aimed at enhancing decision-making in coastal and marine environments:
Provision of potential fishing zone charts overlaid with vessel traffic.
Monitoring and forecasting oceanography variables to support coastal management.
Forecasting ocean conditions for improved maritime safety.
Oil spill monitoring to enhance rapid response strategies.
Generation of coastal vulnerability indices to assess risks and support climate adaptation.
Mapping of coastal habitats to aid conservation efforts.
Women across MarCNoWA’s 11 partner institutions play a pivotal role in developing these EO services, applying scientific expertise, and shaping policy frameworks to safeguard Africa’s marine and coastal resources.
Championing Gender and Youth in Marine Resource Management
As part of GMES & Africa Programme Phase II, MarCNoWA is committed to increasing female participation in EO technology, marine research, and policy advocacy. Through targeted initiatives, the consortium is:
Empowering women in fisheries, oceanography, and environmental policy.
Facilitating training programs to build skills in remote sensing and data applications.
Encouraging young women to pursue careers in marine science and EO technology.
"As we celebrate International Women's Day, we recognize the strength, leadership, and resilience of women working to safeguard our oceans and coastal resources. At MarCNoWA, we are committed to ensuring that women and young professionals have equal opportunities to contribute to Africa’s blue economy," said Dr. Kwame Agyekum , Project Coordinator.
A Future of Inclusion and Sustainability
MarCNoWA, co-funded by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Commission (EC), remains dedicated to promoting an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient coastal and marine environment in West and North Africa. Through collaborations with EUMETSAT and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the consortium continues to provide decision-makers with EO tools and data for informed marine and fisheries policy formulation.
On this International Women’s Day, MarCNoWA stands in solidarity with women across the region, celebrating their achievements and reaffirming the commitment to bridging gender gaps in marine and coastal management.
For media inquiries, interviews, or further details, please contact:
benjieok.gmes@gmail.com
+233245348425
https://gmes.rmc.africa/
#IWD2025 #WomenInMarineScience #MarCNoWA #SustainableBlueEconomy #GMESandAfrica #AUC #EU #EO
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/international-womens-day-8th-march-regional-marine-centre-ityke
