Dr. Bhavani Rao, UNESCO Chair for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment and Dean of the Amrita School of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, delivered a plenary address at S.E.A.W.E.E.D.S. 2026 – International Symposium on Seaweeds: Value Chains, Climate Solutions, and Blue Economy Pathways, held from March 5–7, 2026, at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi.
In her talk, Dr. Rao emphasized the transformative potential of seaweed-based livelihoods in empowering coastal women and youth while simultaneously protecting fragile marine ecosystems. Drawing on years of field experience with coastal communities across India, she highlighted how value-added seaweed entrepreneurship can create sustainable income opportunities and strengthen local economies.
Reflecting on the deep relationship between people and nature, Dr. Rao remarked: “When human beings become detached from the environment, that is when damage happens.”
She further emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in ocean stewardship, stating: “Women should own and love the sea. From the coast to the ocean, it should be the territory of women.”
Dr. Rao underscored that building a sustainable blue economy goes beyond technological advancements or cultivation targets. Instead, it requires addressing the social systems that shape livelihoods, including awareness, access to resources, opportunities, and cultural barriers that often limit women’s participation in marine-based industries.
Through community-based initiatives involving over 200 coastal women, the program promotes the cultivation of indigenous seaweed species, development of locally produced value-added products, and the active engagement of youth. These efforts foster community stewardship of marine ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihood pathways.
The initiative also extends its impact through activities such as seagrass conservation, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), coastal clean-up drives, and community-led environmental stewardship, ensuring that economic development and ecosystem protection progress hand in hand.
The symposium featured several distinguished speakers, including Dr. P. Kaladharan, Principal Scientist and former Head of the Fisheries Environment Management Division at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, who delivered a lead talk exploring the blue economy potential of seaweeds along the Indian coast.
The discussions at S.E.A.W.E.E.D.S. 2026 reinforced the growing recognition of seaweed as a critical resource for climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and ocean conservation, while highlighting the vital role of women and local communities in shaping the future of the blue economy.
Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
| SDG | Goal |
|---|---|
| SDG 5 | Gender Equality |
| SDG 8 | Decent Work & Economic Growth |
| SDG 14 | Life Below Water |
| SDG 17 | Partnerships for the Goals |
