Happy International Women’s Day!
This year, the United Nation’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Across the Caribbean, the impacts of the climate crisis are already here; from heat waves and coral bleaching, to ocean acidification, sea level rise and increasingly relentless and unforgiving hurricanes. Yet more and more research suggests climate change will disproportionately burden women compared to men. For example, women are more likely to live in poverty than men, have less access to basic human rights like the ability to freely move and own land, and face systematic violence that can escalate during periods of instability.
Without a doubt, one of the greatest challenges we face in The Bahamas, the Caribbean and globally is advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction. But one thing is for certain; when it comes to issues like climate change and sustainability, it’s on all of us to call out gender bias, stereotyping and discrimination. It’s on all of us to amplify the voices of women and girls and invite them to the decision-making tables. It’s on all of us to imagine and create a gender equal world, where differences are valued and celebrated. And it’s on all of us to stand up and #BreakTheBias.
At the Perry Institute, we’re marking this International Women’s Day by celebrating our ocean SHEROES, our fearless women warriors who are fighting every day to protect our blue planet. We invite you to dive in and celebrate with us by learning a bit more about our women staff and leaders conducting groundbreaking conservation work in The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean.
Fieldwork Wrap-Up: Strengthening MPA Management in The Bahamas
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are critical tools in the conservation of marine species and habitats, safeguarding reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves that provide vital ecosystem services
Coral Reef Monitoring with Photogrammetry: A New Era in Reef Health Assessment
Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, providing crucial habitat for marine life and protecting coastal regions from erosion. Yet,
Watch “We Among the Reef:” A Documentary on the Abaco Barrier Reef
The Perry Institute for Marine Science invites you to watch “We Among the Reef,” a compelling documentary that illuminates the significance of the Abaco Barrier
Guardians of the Deep: With Training from PIMS, Key Government Staff Become PADI Certified Divers
Akehia Thompson (DMR), Quetta Gibson (DMR), and Gilles Deal (DEPP) share a moment of camaraderie in their scuba gear, embarking on their training journey with
Powering the Next Wave: Celebrating the Conclusion of Our 2024 Rising Tides Program
The Rising Tides program, an initiative of the Perry Institute for Marine Science, is nurturing the next generation of conservationists in The Bahamas. Through classroom instruction and field studies, Bahamian students are inspired and equipped with knowledge and skills for careers in marine science, conservation, and research. The program has certified students as PADI Open Water Divers and Reef Rescue Divers, paving the way for future academic and professional opportunities. The impact of the Rising Tides program is best expressed through the voices of its passionate participants, who share their transformative experiences and dreams for the future of marine conservation.
Exploring Little Inagua’s Coral Reef & Seagrass Habitats
Marine researchers from the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) collaborate for an expedition in the southern Bahamas. The