The AquaFish Innovation Lab is working to secure a more stable future for gender equity and gender research in the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) by helping support the establishment of the AFS Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section (GAFS). In February 2017, AFS proudly launched GAFS, marking the first formal gender-affiliated section within a professional aquaculture or fisheries society. This milestone is a result of over 20 years of AFS’s commitment to gender integration in fisheries and aquaculture.

In alignment with program-wide gender integration efforts, AquaFish Innovation Lab Director, Dr. Hillary Egna, has been a key contributor to raising the importance of equitable gender participation and recognition within AFS and more broadly. The AquaFish Innovation Lab has sponsored, chaired, and presented at gender research symposia at AFS conferences, and has supported the publication of peer-reviewed papers by gender experts (photo above: AquaFish Innovation Lab Director, Dr. Hillary Egna, poses with (from left) Dr. Meryl Williams, Dr. Amonrat Sermwatanakul, and Nikita Gopal, who organized the 6th Symposium on Gender in Aquaculture Forum, held 4–6 August 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand). The AquaFish Innovation Lab is thrilled for the launch of GAFS and will continue to support the section’s commitment to further gender research and gender-equity practices in aquaculture and fisheries by facilitating equitable and effective exchange of information among scientists and academics, fisheries officers, and non-government organizations.

Be sure to check out the GAFS website (https://genderaquafish.org/gaf-section/) for more information on the launch and membership details. Don’t miss out on the Symposium on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries in Kochi, India (GAF-India), 21-24 November 2017. GAF-India will be held in conjunction with the 11th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum. Session themes will include “fostering women’s innovation in fisheries and aquaculture,” “gendered impacts of fisheries management measures,” “climate change and aquaculture policies, and programmes,” and more! Check out the GAF-India website (https://genderaquafish.org/events/gaf-india-november-kochi-india/) for more details!