From Silence to Leadership: Empowering Women in Pemba’s Blue Economy

On the shores of Pemba Island, women walk into shallow waters each day to work on seaweed farms, collect sardines, and fatten crabs—quietly sustaining households, supporting coastal economies, and strengthening climate resilience through diversified livelihoods

In Zanzibar, women make up nearly 80% of seaweed and sea cucumber farmers, according to the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries (2025). Yet despite their central role in Tanzania’s blue economy and in the stewardship of marine resources, many remain excluded from decision-making and economic opportunities.

Most are concentrated in the lowest-value segments of marine value chains, while men continue to dominate licensing, governance, and capital-intensive activities.

A policy review conducted by Women Fund Tanzania through the ReSEA(Regenerative Seascape for People, Climate and Nature) project found that women hold only 26–33% of leadership positions within Beach Management Units (BMUs), Shehia Fisheries Committees (SFCs), and Blue Economy Entrepreneur (BEE) groups—even in communities where women form the majority of members.

A separate needs assessment under the ReSEA project identified interconnected barriers including low literacy levels, limited access to skills training, heavy unpaid care responsibilities, and restrictive gender norms that continue to limit women’s meaningful participation in coastal livelihoods.

“In our culture, a woman’s place is at home taking care of the family. Major public activities are often seen as men’s spaces.” Limited education further deepens exclusion. “Many women cannot read or write, which affects our confidence to apply for leadership roles,” said Hadia Jumbe from Wete, adding that long-standing patriarchal norms continue to restrict women’s access to opportunities.

These lived realities suggest that improving women’s participation in the blue economy requires more than awareness campaigns—it demands targeted interventions that address both structural inequalities and entrenched social norms.

In response, Women Fund Tanzania, through the ReSEA Project and in collaboration with partners, implemented targeted interventions aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the blue economy while addressing both structural and social constraints.

These interventions included the formation and strengthening of Blue Economy Entrepreneurship (BEE) groups, soft skills and entrepreneurship training, leadership development, mentorship, gender dialogues, inclusive stakeholder consultations, and awareness-raising sessions focused on voice and agency. The approach emphasized not only skills development but also shifting mindsets within both women and their communities.

These efforts led to increased confidence and self-awareness among women, enabling them to challenge long-standing barriers and take collective action.

In Pemba, the Hapa Kazi women group identified illiteracy as a key constraint and initiated peer learning sessions. According to group leader Biyamu Mbarouk

**“We realized literacy was holding us back, so we decided to learn together. Now women who were silent are confident and proud of themselves.”**

Through these efforts, eight women have reached a basic level of reading and writing, significantly improving their participation and confidence in group and community activities.

These changes are reflected both in personal confidence and public participation. One participant shared:

“Before the trainings, I could not even stand in front of people and speak. I was afraid and had no confidence. Now I can speak and motivate others without fear. Women are now given a chance to participate.”

Beyond individual transformation, the project has contributed to improved livelihoods through strengthened entrepreneurship skills. Members of the Almujitahi group reported increased productivity and income following business development training. As Leyla Hassan explained:

.“Our businesses have improved greatly and we are now making profits. We previously used traditional methods and did not know how to access markets. Now we have diversified our products and expanded beyond Pemba. We can now sell one kilogram of crab at 20,000 compared to 10,000 before"

Beyond income gains, these changes have also extended into governance and leadership spaces. A notable outcome has been increased women’s participation in marine governance structures. During the Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) Network Forum elections, women were elected into key leadership positions, including Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer—marking a significant step toward more inclusive decision-making in marine governance.

Reflecting this shift, women participants noted a transformation in their willingness to take up leadership roles: “At the beginning, we were afraid of leadership roles. Now we have gained courage and are stepping forward to compete for various positions.”

These changes are also influencing community attitudes more broadly. A male leader from Mkoani, Pemba reflected:

_“I did not believe women could be leaders before. From now on, I will support their participation,” _— Ally Hassan

Beyond economic empowerment and leadership outcomes, the project has strengthened environmental stewardship and collective action. Through Shehia Fisheries Committees (SFCs), communities are actively engaged in mangrove restoration, coral reef protection, and sustainable seaweed farming practices.

In addition, the initiative has strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination through the establishment of the Tanga–Pemba Multi-Stakeholders Forum (TPMSF) and a dedicated gender task force, further enhancing collaboration, accountability, and feminist learning within the blue economy space.

These achievements demonstrate the importance of scaling up targeted, gender-responsive interventions to reach more women’s groups across coastal communities. Sustained investment in dialogue sessions, awareness campaigns, and advocacy will be critical to consolidating and deepening these gains.

At the policy level, deliberate government action is needed to ensure that blue economy value chains are inclusive and responsive to women’s realities. Gender-sensitive policies must address persistent barriers such as unfair pricing structures, limited market access, and unequal participation, so that women can fully benefit from the opportunities within a sector to which they significantly contribute.

About the ReSeA Project

The ReSeA Project seeks to empower women, youth, and marginalized groups to directly benefit from ocean conservation and the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. It is implemented in collaboration with Mission Inclusion and IUCN Tanzania, with funding support from Global Affairs Canada. Implementation areas include Tanga (Pangani and Mkinga) and Pemba (Mkoani, Chakechake, Wete, and Micheweni).

Overall, the project demonstrates that when women are equipped with skills, confidence, and enabling systems, they become drivers of both economic growth and sustainable ocean stewardship.