The Department of Blue Economy in collaboration with UN Women held a workshop from the 3rd and 4th July 2023 at Laila Hotel. The workshop focused on advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment within the framework of its blue and circular economy.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this workshop emphasizes gender equality as both a fundamental human right and a catalyst for progress across all SDGs. By incorporating gender perspectives, Seychelles strives to unleash innovation, enhance efficiency, and ensure the sustainability of its blue and circular economy strategies.
The workshop was attended by government organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and entrepreneurs. Throughout the two-day workshop, stakeholders had the platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities for enhancing gender equality in maritime and circular industries. The sessions focused on pivotal subjects such as gender concepts, social norms, and the implementation of gender mainstreaming methods that are specifically tailored to suit the distinct dynamics of Seychelles’ blue and circular economy.
Overseeing the Circular Economy dossier at the Department of Blue Economy – Ms. Kym Samy, Programme Development Officer stated that “Our mission is bold yet imperative: by empowering women economically and socially, we nurture livelihoods and fortify the resilience of marine ecosystems and coastal communities,”
The participants were strongly encouraged to actively participate in discussions, openly share their experiences, and collaboratively work together on generating solutions that will have a significant impact on shaping the future of Seychelles’ blue and circular economy. The primary objective of the workshop was to provide the stakeholders with practical and valuable knowledge and perspectives that would effectively drive sustainable development enhance resilience, and foster prosperity.