Convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has called for greater inclusion of women in maritime governance and ocean policymaking.

Kiyaramo said Africa cannot build a sustainable Blue Economy while excluding women who play critical roles across fisheries, coastal trade, and maritime enterprises.

He spoke while advocating the creation of an ABER Women’s Wing to promote women’s participation in shaping Africa’s ocean economy.

According to him, the initiative would transform women from policy beneficiaries into key decision-makers in maritime development.

Kiyaramo noted that women account for between 50 and 70 percent of Africa’s post-harvest fisheries workforce.

He said women process fish, manage trade networks, operate micro-credit groups, and sustain coastal economies across the continent.

In Cameroon, he said, women traders handle more than 80 percent of artisanal fish catches.

Despite their contributions, Kiyaramo said women occupy less than 10 percent of positions on maritime policy bodies, fisheries committees, and port authority boards.

He warned that excluding women from decision-making often produces policies that fail to address realities within coastal communities.

According to him, women-led groups consistently show stronger compliance with conservation measures and marine protection regulations.

Kiyaramo described women as the first responders to pollution, illegal fishing, shoreline erosion, and other threats affecting coastal communities.

He said the proposed Women’s Wing would connect grassroots women with institutions including ABER, WIMOWCA, and the IMO.

The platform would provide training in maritime law, grant writing, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

Kiyaramo also announced plans to train 500 women as Blue Economy Ambassadors across Africa.

The ambassadors would promote maritime safety, legal awareness, and enterprise development in local communities.

He said every ABER national chapter would establish a Women’s Wing liaison office to support women-led maritime projects.

The offices would also help gather gender-specific data to strengthen Africa’s position in fisheries and ocean governance negotiations.

“Women are not just participants in the Blue Economy; they are its foundation,” Kiyaramo said.

He added that the initiative would amplify women’s voices and convert local knowledge into practical policies for sustainable ocean governance across Africa.

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