FFA Embraces the call to action for a "balance for better"

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognise that the theme “Balance for Better” – a call to action for driving gender balance across the world – resonates with our own FFA vision.

“Our own FFA vision to cooperate to maximise benefits for our people through the sustainable use of our offshore resources is fully aligned with this theme. Sustainable management and development will not be successful unless we bring all of our people with us – men and women – on an equal footing,” said FFA Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen.

In this our 40th Anniversary year, we take this timely opportunity to underline the FFA’s commitment to working actively alongside our member governments to further promote four critical objectives:

To remove barriers, both formal and informal, that impede or deter the full participation of women within the offshore fisheries sector;

To address the scourge of domestic violence and provide the practical support to do so;

To work with all of our partners, including in the private sector, to promote greater gender balance and a respect for diversity that must underpin all our work;

To acknowledge and celebrate the success and achievement of women in the sector.

In 2016, our Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial meeting adopted the FFA Gender Equity Policy to guide all our work. To give a practical focus to this, the FFA Secretariat launched our Domestic and Family Violence Policy, which offers practical support to any staff member suffering from domestic violence. We recognise that no workplace is immune from these challenges, hence the importance of offering a compassionate and supportive environment for those affected.

Dr Tupou-Roosen said “On this special day we also acknowledge and celebrate the many thousands of women who are actively engaged in our offshore fisheries sector. These range from those employed in the processing and commercial sectors to those working as team leaders in their areas of expertise and in senior leadership roles.”

“Women are spearheading new pathways in what were once non-traditional areas of work including engineering, surveillance, ports, environment, fisheries observers and advocacy. Without a doubt, this success story will continue.”

Over the coming year and beyond, the FFA Secretariat will continue to work closely with our Members and partners to make this theme a reality in our sector.

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