Linking the blue economy to Women's empowerment to create avenues for the realization of ocean sustainability targets in the global south

Abstract

The blue economy (BE) presents a unique opportunity for women's empowerment (WE), especially in the global south. (Un)surprisingly, limited research has been done on how WE in the BE can be achieved. 158 documents are reviewed and participatory engagements with 58 coastal women in Alappad are conducted, to (i) understand the current landscape of the BE and WE and (ii) gain evidence-based perspectives that can drive WE. Findings revealed that the global south has unique BE endowments and comparative advantages for WE and ocean sustainability. Long-established BE sectors where women have historically participated present better opportunities for WE. WE in the BE could increase profits from ocean-based sectors to US$22 trillion by 2050. These can be scaled up to emerging BE sectors, e.g., renewable energy. However, complex WE dynamics persist. The socio-economic benefits women get from coastal sectors are low. Women's participation in BE sectors has not translated into holistic WE. Livelihood survival pressures have increased due to human-environmental threats. Socioeconomic impediments lead to women's engagement in seasonal jobs and secondary value-chain coastal activities. Socioecological grief is rising. Women are shifting to masculine jobs. There is limited sex-disaggregated data on WE in BE sectors, such as renewable ocean energy. Positive perceptions towards women's engagement in coastal activities are emerging. If streamlined, these can create new possibilities for WE. A novel ‘blue economy for women empowerment (BEWE)’ framework is developed to sustain the emerging transformative narratives for WE in the BE and ocean sustainability. Using micro-level participatory research narratives of vulnerable coastal women/communities in the global south, and insights (policy and academic) from literature, possibilities for creating holistic WE and transformative ocean sustainability outcomes in the BE are possible. These can help promote collaborative stakeholder engagements, generate novel perspectives for positive transformations, and create evidence-based indicators for identifying progress toward ocean equity/WE. Future studies can use multi-case studies in other coastal regions to develop transformative narratives to build and sustain WE, equity, and ocean transformative actions.