Virna Cedeño, scientist, Founding Partner and Director, Incabiotec S.A.C., Tumbes, Peru

For me, International Women's Day should be the day that reminds us all that every day is our day and that in each of them we can reinvent ourselves. That strength and wisdom that are required to transform societies and make them emotionally healthier and more balanced, so that girls and boys, rather than becoming victims and aggressors, become complementary partners who cooperate and do not compete. 

I hope that women can be more authentic every day, get rid of the masks imposed on us by family, cultural, social or religious stereotypes; learn to accept, love and respect ourselves before demanding it from others; break the forced silences by raising our voice, calmly but firmly, to express what we feel and think beyond the approval or disapproval of others. I like to imagine a day when women can lead planetary changes towards a more peaceful coexistence.

Sri Fanny Mony, housewife and fisherwomen’s group leader, Watkidat Village, Southeast Maluku, Indonesia

My hope for all the women in the world who are being left behind and are still not involved in many activities, to gain an active role in many sectors. Women should be involved in many aspects of employment and empowerment.

My hope for the future is for women who still live in the dark to rise into the light.

I also hope for myself and for my community to be more dilligent in participating in training workshops, to gain broader skills and broader knowledge, so that we can develop our products and our production methods as well as possible.

 Diaba Diop, seafood processor, General Secretary, African Women in Artisanal Fisheries Network and President, Women in Artisanal Fisheries Network in Senegal

For us, International Women’s Day is a day in which to advocate for us, for our concerns and our problems. Many women aren’t aware of how many of us are active in the fisheries sector, of our socio-economic contribution, when in fact we are present in every link of the value chain. We want to show women the importance of the role they play in the fisheries sector.

The message we want to send is to protect our oceans. If there are fish in the sea, we will have food. But if there are no fish, we’ll have nothing to eat. The sea is our workplace. It’s how we gain our livelihoods. So we women in artisanal fisheries call on our authorities to protect the oceans. 

Cynthia Aryshandy, Directorate General of Fisheries Product Competitiveness, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia

Women should be brave enough to pursue their passions without fear. In Asia, the majority of women often face limitations due to being viewed as second-class citizens.

However, I believe that women should have the willpower, motivation, and courage to chase their dreams in life without worrying too much about the opinions of others.