An evidence-based review of the pre-requisite interventions for women's inclusion in the blue economy in the global south: A case study of India

The blue economy (BE) is a new frontier that could promote ocean sustainability and equity in the access and utilization of ocean resources. This is more relevant amongst ocean-dependent communities in the global south, such as in India. However, despite increasing evidence of the potential of the B...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Marine policy Vol. 171; p. 106476
Main Authors:	Matovu, Baker, Lukambagire, Isaac, Bleischwitz, Raimund, Linda. A, Etta, Alkoyak-Yildiz, Meltem, Suresh, Ammu S., S, Anusree
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2025
Subjects:	Blue economy Global south India Ocean equity Ocean Sustainability Strategic sustainable transformational pathway Women’s inclusion and empowerment Global south Ocean Sustainability Women’s inclusion and empowerment Blue economy Ocean equity Strategic sustainable transformational pathway India
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The blue economy (BE) is a new frontier that could promote ocean sustainability and equity in the access and utilization of ocean resources. This is more relevant amongst ocean-dependent communities in the global south, such as in India. However, despite increasing evidence of the potential of the BE in promoting women’s inclusion, systemic barriers are still prevalent. Current interventions to bridge gaps concerning gender equity and women's inclusion in the BE are largely fragmented and less comprehensive. This undermines avenues geared towards reactivating gender inclusion and women’s empowerment (WE). Further negative ramifications might emerge, including a limited understanding of evidence-based and context-specific solutions for WE in the BE, ocean sustainability challenges, and the effectiveness of current solutions for coastal women's inclusion. Here, we draw together diverse perspectives systematically extracted from the literature on WE in the BE and develop a ‘strategic sustainable transformational pathway.’ The proposed pathway is grounded on transformative WE perspectives, experiences, and knowledge from India and the global south. The pathway highlights that addressing gender inequality and the core needs of women in the BE requires phased assessments. This can help inform transformative actions for WE. Phased assessments should be based on inclusive stakeholder participation in co-designing, co-monitoring, and continuous evaluation of the efficacy of specific BE interventions. Such actions can contribute to marine social science research that is largely less explored. Future studies can explore the applicability of the pathway by using myriad transdisciplinary approaches centered on participatory co-design and co-inclusion. In India, this can begin with the re-defining of BE in the context of WE. This can help generate micro-level narratives of coastal women on how to promote equity, and WE in the BE, across geographies.
ISSN:	0308-597X
DOI:	10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106476