Malaysia

Six women leaders from the Coral Triangle region, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, are being recognized and given funding to continue to advance and expand on their advocacy work. These six countries came together to launch a platform, with the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), to uplift the role of women environmental defenders working towards protecting an epicenter of marine biodiversity. They call themselves the CTI-CFF Women Leader's Forum and support women leadership through a network of peer-learning  and capacity building. The women leaders being honored come from each country, with their work often going unrecognized. They include Ms. Lotang from Indonesia, who leads CBO Cinta Persahabatan, a local organization that promotes coral reef protection, sustainable fishing practices, and enforcement against destructive fishing methods; Ms. Winfield from Malaysia, founder of the Kudat Turtle Conservation Society, which supports the protection of turtles and their habitats; Ms. Langarap from Papua New Guinea, coordinator of the Manus Environmental Communities Conservation Network, which supports community-led marine conservation; Ms. Bool from the Philippines, treasurer of the Sama Samang Nagkakaisang Pamayanan ng Silonay, which strengthens community resilience to climate change; Ms. Dasipio from the Solomon Islands, president of the Mother’s Union, which provides community conservation and environmental education; and Ms. Mendes from Timor-Leste, leader of the Com Women’s Group, which promotes marine conservation. Through this CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum, the countries hope to recognize the crucial role women have in protecting marine biodiversity while supporting more equitable coastal resource management.