Women4Oceans Launches Expanded Global Platform
The expanded network connects women across marine science, conservation, law, technology and other ocean-related fields in more than 50 countries.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Women’s Issues
The Ocean and Us launched an expanded Women4Oceans platform in late September 2026, bringing together more than 200 members from over 50 countries. The platform builds on a Facebook group founded in 2016 by Farah Obaidullah.
Why it matters
The platform responds to the difficulty of identifying relevant female expertise across the ocean sector. Its original goal of increasing the visibility of women working in ocean-related fields remains central to the network.
The network reports more than 200 members across over 50 countries, with six partner organisations including Ireland's Marine Institute. Membership figures come from the platform operator and have not been independently verified.
The players
The Ocean and Us
The organisation that launched the expanded Women4Oceans platform in late September 2026.
Farah Obaidullah
The founder of Women4Oceans, who started the network as a Facebook group in 2016.
Marine Institute
Ireland's national marine research body, one of the current partner organisations of the Women4Oceans network.
The details
The expanded platform includes member profiles, a searchable directory, an interactive map and discussion spaces. Members can connect across marine science, conservation, law, technology, the blue economy, ocean sports, art and storytelling, and journalists and organisations can use it to find women experts for interviews and collaborations.
Timeline
2016: Women4Oceans is founded as a Facebook group by Farah Obaidullah.
Late September 2026: The Ocean and Us launches the expanded platform.
Culture Shift
The platform extends Women4Oceans' 2016 effort to make women working in ocean-related fields visible, moving from an informal Facebook group to a searchable professional directory. It reflects a broader push by women in male-dominated scientific and environmental fields to build their own professional networks.
Journalists, conference organisers and businesses can use the platform to identify women experts for interviews, speaking engagements and collaborations. Women working in ocean fields can join the network to connect with peers and share events and opportunities.
The takeaway
Women working in ocean-related fields can use dedicated networks to become more visible and easier to find for collaboration. Organisations seeking expertise can search such directories rather than relying on informal referrals.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Women's Issues for context on women's professional networks.
More information
Join or explore the network through the Women4Oceans platform for joining women ocean professionals.
