Coastal women demand power in Tanzania’s blue economy

ZANZIBAR: BEFORE dawn breaks over the Indian Ocean, Jamila Ali steps into the water. Like thousands of women along Tanzania’s coast, her day begins with seaweed farming, tying lines, checking crops, harvesting and carrying her yield to shore. “This is our life,” she says.

“We work every day in the ocean. But when decisions are made… we are not there.” Her question cuts to the heart of a critical issue: Who really benefits from the labour of coastal women?

This question took centre stage at a recent symposium on women and the blue economy, organised by Mission Inclusion in collaboration with Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFT) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with support from Global Affairs Canada.

The event was part of the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature (ReSea) project.

In her keynote, ReSea Chief of Party, Perpetua Angima, highlighted women’s daily reality: “Early in the morning, women are already in the sea, planting and harvesting seaweed, dragging it to shore, drying it, and storing it while waiting for buyers,” she said.

It is quiet, repetitive work but it sustains households and communities. Beyond seaweed, women are also involved in crab fattening, sea cucumber farming, sardine processing, and marine ecosystem restoration.

“They are on the frontlines of the blue economy,” Angima said.

“But when decisions about these sectors are made, where are they?” “The gap is not in participation,” she added.

“The gap is in decision-making.” Presenting findings from a gender policy assessment under ReSea, Humphrey Mrema emphasised that women are central to the blue economy, but often excluded from decisions shaping it.

“We often say women are included,” Angima noted. “But included how? Sitting in meetings? Listening? Or shaping decisions?”

Real change, she stressed, requires women to have influence, not just presence. The ReSea project has already reached over 248 women across coastal districts, including Mkinga and Pangani in Tanga Region, as well as Pemba.

Training in entrepreneurship, technical skills, and gender rights is helping women improve productivity, add value to products, and gain recognition. “Before, we worked without knowledge,” says Jamila.

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“Now we understand business, rights, and how to improve what we do.” Women still face structural challenges. Pricing is largely controlled by middlemen, forcing women to sell below cost. “You don’t decide the price,” Jamila says. “You accept what is given.”

Access to finance remains another hurdle. Many lack collateral or tailored financial services, and basic literacy gaps hinder growth. “You may have the skills,” Jamila explains, “but without capital, you cannot grow.”

Government officials, like Senior Environmental Officer Evansia Shirima, are increasingly recognising these barriers and are working to strengthen gender-responsive financing.

Climate change adds to the challenge. Rising sea temperatures push seaweed to deeper waters, forcing women to pay men for harvesting.

“There are no toilets, no safe spaces,” Jamila adds. “Sometimes you work alone for hours.”

Lack of infrastructure exposes women to risks, including gender-based violence. Despite dominating production, women remain underrepresented in leadership.

“We are many in the work,” Jamila says, “but very few in decision-making.”

Angima warned that the imbalance must change for a sustainable blue economy.

“When women lead, resource management improves, accountability strengthens, and benefits are shared more fairly,” she said.

As the symposium concluded, the message was clear: the time for talk is over. Stakeholders must transform systems, strengthen institutions, and ensure women have a decisive voice. Jamila sums it up simply: “We are already in the blue economy. We are the ones carrying it. Now we want to lead it too.”