SAGE launches Gender Equality Dialogues for the seafood industry

Effort arises for a sector that is ‘ripe for change’

U.S. organization Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE) launched the Gender Equality Dialogues, a program offering North American seafood industry leaders the opportunity to identify the key barriers to gender equality in the sector and provide the tools and information needed for change.

The effort will convene leaders from U.S. companies like Fortune Fish and Gourmet, Seattle Fish Co. and Acme Smoked Fish through virtual meetings over the course of one year. The program will progress to alignment on challenges, priorities and commitments to action.

“After two years of development, I’m thrilled to see such important leaders in the North American seafood industry committing to both collective and individual action to address these challenges and usher in a new era of the seafood sector – one that prioritizes inclusivity and equality,” said SAGE Founder Julie Kuchepatov.

The GED initiative was inspired by recommendations of a 2018 global survey conducted by the international nonprofit Women in the Seafood Industry, in which 61 percent of the women respondents reported gender inequalities, compared to 38 percent of men.

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“There has never been anything like the GED in seafood, and the sector is ripe for change,” said Rob Snyder, chief people and sustainability officer at Acme Smoked Fish. “We are excited to be part of this effort driving towards a more equitable sector as younger generations are coming up and demanding holistic sustainability efforts that include not only addressing environmental sustainability, but gender inequalities as well.”

Funders of the GED include Builders Initiative, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation and Sea Pact.

@GSA_Advocate