I have been passionate about protecting the oceans since as far back as I can remember. From telling people off for littering on the beach as a five year old in my hometown, attempting to rescue marine life as a child in Gabon to becoming the first exhibit guide at the Sea Life Centre in the Netherlands at age fifteen. Since then I have dedicated almost my entire life to understanding our oceans and working to protect them. Most of my role models were men. Men portrayed as ocean explorers, marine biologists, captains of vessels, activists and decision makers. Whilst none of this deterred me from pursing my dreams, I am sure I am not alone in wishing there were more female role models to be inspired by.

I have over sixteen years professional experience in the field of strategy setting, campaigning, coordination and investigations. After several years of undertaking environmental due diligence and impact assessments across different industries, I directed my career towards my life-long passion and commitment to protect the world's oceans.

For close to eleven years I operated as a Senior Oceans Campaigner with Greenpeace working on different campaigns around the world on land and at sea. During that time, I helped to develop a Greenpeace presence in West Africa including recruiting and mentoring staff and developing strategies for the region; I successfully led a campaign to stopping the transfer of a highly destructive fishery (hydraulic dredging) from the Netherlands to Mauritania; Exposed Illegal (IUU) fish crimes around the world; Led Greenpeace’s initial engagement on slavery and labour abuse in the fishing sector including presenting at INTERPOL's 2014 conference on human trafficking - the first time human trafficking and labour abuse at sea was discussed at such a forum.

My work has taken me all over the world from coastal communities across Europe, Africa, Asia and South America to remote parts of the High Seas. What struck me in all my travels is the inherent role that women play in safeguarding our marine natural resources.

From policy makers and businesswomen to community members, surfers and scientists, women from all walks of life care about our oceans and are doing some great work to save them. Unfortunately the role of women in ocean conservation is often overlooked.

I have always believed that social injustice and environmental crimes are inherently linked. Humanity is plagued by many woes including greed, terrorism, war, rape, lack of respect for nature and so much more. If left unchecked this trend will lead to more misery and ultimately the demise of the natural world and even civilization, as we know it. In order to turn the tide and achieve true harmony across cultures, race and religion as well as with our environment we must restore the balance of gender and equality through education and empowerment.

To support, celebrate and inspire women working to protect our oceans I have set up Women4Oceans or W4O on Facebook: Women4Oceans. You can also follow W4O on twitter @Women4Oceans and on Instagram: Women4Oceans

You can learn more about my background at https://nl.linkedin.com/in/farahobaidullah