In most cases, women are not involved in the planning, development or management of marine and coastal resources. Integrating women's and men's usage of these resources into the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) increases the chance of both women and men participating in and benefiting from the MPA. This case study highlights the attempt to fully involve women in fisheries and coastal resource management in Cayar, Senegal - at the onset, women and men in the community were both involved in the participatory process of establishing the MPA.