Empowering Women and Girls on the Impact of Climate Change and Conservation Measures
By WFT-T
24 June 2025
In a bid to empower women and youth who depend on coastal and marine resources—and to ensure they benefit from the blue economy while understanding their rights—a community-wide awareness session was recently held in Pangani Magharibi Ward.
The event was part of a broader initiative under the Regenerative Seascape for People, Climate, and Nature Project (ReSea Project)—a regional program designed to enhance the physical and socio-economic resilience of coastal communities across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The session brought together 156 participants—79 women and 77 men—including 89 youth under the age of 35 and three persons living with disabilities (PLWDs). Among the participants were members of Beach Management Units (BMUs), district officials, and other community stakeholders.
Speaking during the session, Glory Mbia, (Gender Coordinator,RESEA-WFTT) explained that the program aims to educate communities on the rights of women and youth, promote positive masculinities, and highlight the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change and conservation measures. It also seeks to empower communities to take collective action toward gender equality and sustainable development.
The session featured participatory theatre, testimonies from women and youth involved in BMUs, and open dialogue. The theatre component explored critical themes such as women’s participation in LMMA (Locally Managed Marine Area) structures, sexual harassment within marine resource areas, and the importance of conserving marine ecosystems.
Commenting on the importance of the activity, Glory emphasized the need to address the limited integration of gender perspectives within LMMA governance structures and processes.
“Women and youth play a critical role in the use and stewardship of coastal and marine resources, but they often face exclusion from decision-making, limited recognition of their rights, and unequal access to the benefits of conservation and sustainable use,” said Glory. “There’s also a general lack of awareness about how climate change and conservation measures differently impact men and women—reinforcing existing vulnerabilities and inequalities.”
Local government leaders present at the event expressed strong support for the ReSea initiative, particularly in efforts to increase awareness of gender-specific climate impacts and promote women’s participation in LMMA governance.
“We’ve learned that climate change affects women and men differently,” said Salim Kanyama (Mgosi wa Robo), Village Chairperson for Pangani Magharibi. “As local government leaders, we are committed to supporting ReSea’s efforts, especially in ensuring women’s inclusion in LMMA structures.” Women and youth participants shared their reflections following the session: “Prioritizing women in every available opportunity within our community, along with environmental conservation, is the right approach to addressing climate change,” said Abubakari E. Manga.
Zuhura Bakari noted, “It’s true—patriarchal systems discourage women, and sexual harassment remains a serious barrier.”
Hadija Ahmed emphasized that, “Women’s participation in development, leadership equality, and marine conservation is essential.”
Supported by Global Affairs Canada, the ReSea Project aims to strengthen the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities facing the adverse impacts of climate change across the Western Indian Ocean Region. The initiative is implemented in partnership with Mission Inclusion (MI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFT-T), and Ocean Hub Africa (OHA). Currently, the project is being implemented in the Tanga-Pemba seascape, covering six districts across Tanzania, including Mkinga and Pangani in the Tanga Region, and Micheweni, Chake Chake, Wete, and Mkoani in Pemba Island.
