The six female skippers who participated in this edition of the Vendée Globe—including the youngest skipper in history, male or female—are breaking barriers for women in sports and offshore racing. Their journey also raises awareness across generations about oceanographic issues and the need to protect marine ecosystems.
Mariamalia Rodríguez Chaves, an environmental law expert from Costa Rica, is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the World Ocean Institute. Her work focuses on a group of intergovernmental ocean-related organizations and their approach to gender equality. In the video below, she explains how human health and well-being depend on the health of the oceans, which provide food and livelihoods for approximately 40% of the global population.
Dr. Chaves also highlights the inclusion of a gender chapter for the first time in the third World Ocean Assessment, set to be published at the end of the year. This chapter underscores that gender disparities persist across all ocean sectors, where traditional roles often limit women’s participation in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine sciences. These constraints reinforce inequalities in access to resources, leadership opportunities, and economic outcomes.
These and many other crucial topics are addressed in the World Ocean Assessments, the only integrated evaluations of the global ocean’s condition. Established by the United Nations General Assembly and developed by hundreds of scientists worldwide, these assessments provide regular reviews of the environmental, economic, and social aspects of the world’s oceans. Two assessments have already been conducted, spanning nearly a decade, and the third is set for release at the end of this year.
By exploring the World Ocean Assessments, you can stay informed, make better decisions, and contribute to improving ocean health for future generations. Learn more about the current state of the global ocean and the complex relationship between humans and the sea.
Dr. Rodríguez and the Health of the Oceans | Vendée Globe 2024
To continue educating yourself and making informed decisions that contribute to the well-being of our oceans for future generations, explore the World Ocean Assessments. Discover the current state of the global ocean and humanity’s intricate relationship with it
