The board of Women in Seafood International has announced the appointment of Camille Cherques as its new director.
According to the organisation’s chair, Christelle Vigot, founder Marie Christine Monfort decided a year ago to step down from her roles as executive director, board member and treasurer, leading to a reorganisation of WSI’s operational team and the selection of Camille Cherques to take over the role of director.
‘Over six years, Marie-Christine created a vibrant organisation, grew WSI supporters and contributors and opened a public debate on gender equality among top seafood companies and international institutions,’ Christelle Vigot said.
‘We thank sincerely Marie-Christine Monfort for her vision, immense work, and amazing results. She developed and strengthened WSI as an influential international feminist organisation recognised as a first-class source of reliable scientific information on gender issues.’
She commented that WSI aspires to see a seafood industry free of gender inequalities, free of sexism and gender-based discriminations, where men, women and queer people enjoy equal opportunities and working conditions.
‘This is unfortunately still a huge challenge in 2022 with much persisting gender-based discrimination but we are confident that Camille Cherques will lead WSI successfully, taking the NGO to new levels of impacts and development.’
Camille Cherques joined WSI in May 2021 after many years working in sustainability and fishing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degrees in international public law and international cultural management. After creating the iemanja podcast on women and the sea and studying gender and climate change, she became increasingly knowledgeable on gender issues.
‘She will enable WSI to continue to raise awareness and call the industry and public institutions to fight its pervasive gender inequalities and move towards a truly sustainable sector where women will thrive and have equal rights and responsibilities,’ Christelle Vigot said.
