The webinar on Inclusive Structures in Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean features an esteemed group of speakers committed to advancing gender equality and inclusive marine governance in the region. Dr. Renis Auma Ojwala brings her expertise in maritime sustainability and gender equity, while youth leader Sohanur Rahman advocates for climate justice and youth empowerment. Professor Cornelias Ncube reimagines the role of men in conservation through ecological masculinities, and Anne-Elise Nieblas works at the intersection of science and policy to promote sustainable fisheries. Together, they provide diverse insights to foster a more inclusive and equitable ocean future.
Dr. Renis Auma Ojwala
Post-doctoral Research Associate at the World Maritime University (WMU)
Dr Renis’s research focuses on seafarer sustainability, gender equality, and climate change in ocean science. She actively contributes to international projects and organizations, including the Third World Ocean Assessment report and the IOC- UNESCO Gender Expert Working Group. Her academic background includes a PhD in Maritime Affairs and advanced degrees in aquatic sciences, underscoring her dedication to advancing equity in the maritime and ocean sectors, particularly in Africa.
Sohanur Rahman,
Executive Coordinator, YouthNet Global, Bangladesh
Sohanur Rahman is a prominent youth climate activist, humanitarian advocate, and the executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, a youth-led organization operating in 50 districts of Bangladesh. He is deeply engaged in advancing climate justice, disaster response, and youth leadership through grassroots action and global advocacy.
He is an advocate for gender-transformative climate solutions, actively challenging patriarchal systems and promoting intersectional approaches to gender equality. He has championed the inclusion of women and youth in climate resilience efforts, notably at platforms like the Women Deliver 2023 Conference. As a global climate leader, his work emphasises empowering women through grassroots action and policy advocacy for equitable climate justice.
Prof. Cornelias Ncube
Associate Professor, Development Studies, Institute of Development Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Prof. Cornelias Ncube is an influential scholar and advocate in the field of gender and environmental governance. His groundbreaking work centers on the concept of ecological masculinities, which reimagines the role of men in fostering allyship, gender equity, and sustainability in environmental conservation.
As a Gender Specialist with Breeze Consulting, Prof. Ncube has collaborated with organizations like UN Women and WIOMSA to pioneer gender-responsive strategies for ocean conservation. He played a pivotal role in developing the Gender Action Plan for WIOMSA’s Hifadhi Blu and SCALABLE programmes, ensuring that inclusivity and gender equity are integral to marine conservation efforts in the Western Indian Ocean.
Anne-Elise NIEBLAS
Company for Open Ocean Observations and Logging (COOOL) Women in Marine Science, Le Reunion Country coordinator
Anne-Elise NIEBLAS is a marine scientist a marine scientist with over 15 years of experience in fisheries science, ecosystem monitoring, and sustainable resource management. Anne-Elise is president of the small research and development Company for Open Ocean Observations and Loggin (COOOL), dedicated to developing sustainable marine technology for biodiversity and fisheries monitoring. Anne-Elise is also serving as the technical focal point at FAO for the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 14.4.1 – proportion of marine fish stocks within
biologically sustainable levels, supporting countries in assessing the sustainability of their marine fish stocks particularly using data-poor methodologies. Her work bridges science and policy, focusing on innovative tools, capacity development, and open science practices, including coordinating initiatives for assessing fish stock sustainability. As part of WIOMSA’s Women in Marine Science network, she leads
the “Womentoring” initiative to foster mentoring relationships for women across the
Western Indian Ocean region.
