How Women are building Climate resilience in the Blue economy to achieve Vision 2050

 

The Untold Story of Women in the Blue Economy.

"For a long time now, their contribution across various sectors including the Blue Economy has been visible yet unappreciated, their voices in decision-making have gone unheard, and they have been struggling against the challenges of climate change that increase their burden every single day. To this day, they ask themselves the question, "Who will carry our voices and deliver them to the decision-making table at the village, ward, district, regional, and national levels?" As the month-long commemorations of International Women's Day 2026 draw to a close, their voices have become a song of transformation. Ms. Evansia Shirima, from the Office of the Vice President, encouraged them with these words, "Investment in women and girls is a crucial pillar in achieving a society characterized by equity, prosperity, and sustainable development as we move toward the National Development Vision 2050."

Ms. Perpertual Angima, the Regional Project Manager of the Resea Project, added: "The Blue Economy does not become inclusive through words alone, but through decision-making; and it is when women and youth are given leadership opportunities that we build not only equality but also a strong and sustainable future for all." And the women themselves, from the Blue Economy groups, declare: "We need the government and stakeholders to empower us by providing essential services so that we can carry out our activities to the highest standards of quality." These are the voices of women that resonated from the shores of the Indian Ocean at The New Kiboko Hotel in Tanga, proving that investing in women is not an act of charity but the key to withstanding climate change and achieving Vision 2050."

Their resilience found room to flourish when they began receiving training in entrepreneurship, financial management, leadership, and gender rights. These trainings opened their eyes to the fact that their challenges were not a matter of bad luck, but rather the result of systems that had placed women on the margins. They learned how to build economic groups, conduct business with excellence, and use their indigenous knowledge to add value to their products. Gradually, they began to gain recognition within their communities. When they participated in value-addition competitions, their groups emerged as winners, demonstrating that when women are given opportunities, they can work with unparalleled skill. 

They succeeded in processing seaweed into higher-value products, transforming crab shells into nutrient-rich flour for children, and converting fish waste into animal feed and oil. For the first time, their contribution to the fisheries value chain became undeniable: without the women who process and transport fish, the entire Blue Economy chain would grind to a halt. The theme for this year's commemorations "Advancing a Blue Economy Based on Equity, Justice, and Participatory Development for Environmental Well-being" came as confirmation that their time had arrived, and they were no longer walking alone.

Despite these achievements, the challenges rife in coastal and Great Lakes areas did not fade away easily. Women continued to face negative societal attitudes that regarded them as second-class traders. Gender-based violence persisted, depriving women of safety in their workplaces, especially when transporting goods at night or conducting business in public markets. Lack of capital forced them to rely on lenders charging exorbitant interest rates, while essential services such as landing sites and roads in areas where they operated were not friendly to their needs. 

                                   Ms. Evansia Shirima,

                   Policy Shifts and Government Commitment.

These voices of women reached the Office of the Vice President, which coordinates matters of the Union, Environment, and the Blue Economy. Ms. Evansia Shirima, speaking on behalf of the Office, stated: "Women are a critical pillar of community development, particularly in coastal and Great Lakes areas. Therefore, investment in women and girls is a crucial foundation for achieving a society rooted in equity, well-being, and sustainable development as we move toward the National Development Vision 2050." She applied the message of this year's international theme, "Give to Gain," interpreting it to mean that gender equality is not a matter of charity but a productive investment in national development.

These transformations began to manifest in critical areas such as water resource management. During the Water Week commemorations held on March 22, 2026, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, emphasized the importance of involving women in decision-making levels, particularly in the protection of water sources. This emphasis signified a major shift: women are no longer to be involved merely as implementers but as decision-makers. This was a profound realization for the women of Ukerewe, who for so long had attended fisheries meetings only as spectators. 

Now, they were given seats on water resource management committees and began influencing decisions concerning fishing seasons, permissible fishing gear, and the distribution of benefits. In Pangani District, women secured seven out of twelve leadership positions within beach management units, including chairperson and secretary. This was not merely an increase in numbers; it was a transformation of power. Women began bringing their perspective to resource management: advocating for conservation for future generations, opposing illegal fishing, and demanding transparency in benefit-sharing. The enabling environment was beginning to bear fruit.

Ms. Perpertual Angima, Regional Project Manager of the Resea Project,

Yet, at the peak of these transformations, women themselves speak candidly significant challenges remain. In meetings of Blue Economy groups, they voiced their demands with one accord. They said: "We need essential services such as landing sites in the areas where we operate, we need capital, we need to combat gender-based violence that hinders our participation." They acknowledged that without collaboration with the government and civil society organizations, their struggle could not succeed. They believed that through these demands and the efforts of their project supervisors, they would achieve even greater success in attaining economic, gender, and leadership rights. This is not the language of despair; it is the language of people who know their worth and seek the opportunity to contribute to the development of their nation. Furthermore, Ms. Perpertual Angima, Regional Project Manager of the Resea Project, noted that one of the major obstacles is the level of education in some areas such as Pemba, seventy percent of women in seaweed groups were unable to read or write, a factor that prevented them from understanding important government information and project details. Yet despite this, they demonstrated their resilience by learning through practice and becoming innovators in their businesses.

The resilience of women in the Blue Economy has been further demonstrated through the experiences of the women of Ukerewe. Around Lake Victoria, women have long been a crucial pillar of the Blue Economy, yet their contribution went unrecognized. They received training in entrepreneurship, financial management, and leadership, and began forming economic groups. These women built a collective voice to advocate for their rights and interests. They came to understand that a gender-responsive Blue Economy means a system that recognizes them, empowers them to access resources and technology, and ensures their participation in decision-making. 

Gender Gaps Exposed and Policy Recommendations.

Mr. Humphrey Mrema, Policy Advisor for the project, noted that in the Tanga and Pemba regions, a professional study conducted in November 2025 revealed a deeply concerning reality: although women comprise over 60 percent of participants in blue economy groups, their involvement in decision-making is below 30 percent, and key leadership positions such as chairpersons and secretaries are predominantly held by men, while women are relegated to the role of treasurer based on the misguided perception that "they will not run away with the money." Furthermore, 91 percent of these groups lack Women and Welfare Committees, and no formal system for reporting gender-based violence was found across the 47 sites visited, while seaweed farmers sell one kilogram for just 7,000 Tanzanian shillings despite the actual production cost exceeding 50,000 shillings per cycle.

Additionally, 73 percent of women in Pemba have never received any training, and the technical language used in policy documents renders national policies inaccessible to them. To address this situation, experts recommend amending the Tanzania National BlueEconomy Policy of 2024 and the Zanzibar Blue Economy Policy of 2020 by introducing binding provisions for 40 percent representation of women, establishing a financing mechanism targeting women and youth, creating indicative pricing systems to eliminate exploitation by middlemen, and ensuring safe infrastructure is built at fishing landing sites. If implemented swiftly, these reforms will serve as the foundation for reaching marginalized women and youth and for building a blue economy grounded in equity and justice for all.

Ms. Rose Marandu, Executive Director of Women Fund Tanzania. 

In building this future, the government has begun undertaking policy reforms that mainstream gender, with the aim of ensuring that women are protected against the impacts of climate change, girls are encouraged to pursue studies in environmental science and resource management, and Blue Economy opportunities benefit them equitably. Ms. Rose Marandu, Executive Director of Women Fund Tanzania, said "These reforms are being built with Vision 2050 in mind a vision that aspires to a nation of equity and sustainable development." She added that women participating in the Resea Project and their groups recognize that the steps they are taking now are the foundation of that vision. They are building a legacy for future generations by ensuring that marine and lake resources are conserved and managed wisely. Moreover, starting from July 2026, the goal is to see the implementation of this vision reflected in government budgets, ensuring that the Blue Economy sector contributes more than five to seven percent of the national gross domestic product. This is a collaborative effort requiring communities, government, and stakeholders to work together to bring about genuine development. Women stand ready to claim their place in this ambitious endeavor.

The Path to Vision 2050, A Call for Collective Action

The national theme declares "Rights and Equality for Women and Girls, An Inclusive Foundation for Achieving Vision 2050." Ms. Perpertual Angima, speaking on behalf of the Resea Project, stated, "The Blue Economy does not become inclusive through words alone, but through decision-making, and it is when women and youth are given leadership opportunities that we build not only equality but also a strong and sustainable future for all." She added that the call of "Give to Gain" in the context of International Women's Day reminds us that when we invest in women and girls by providing them with opportunities, resources, and a voice in decision-making, we all benefit. We gain stronger communities, a more resilient economy, and a more equitable and inclusive world because empowering women is not an act of charity but a catalyst for shared progress. The women themselves have spoken, let us not remain confined to slogans alone, let us take concrete action. Let us continue to invest in women, protect the environment, and make proper use of the opportunities available in the Blue Economy sector. When we empower a woman, we protect the environment. When we protect the environment, we secure the future of our nation. And when we educate a girl child about the environment, we build a strong foundation for Vision 2050.

Finally, as we stand at the crossroads of history, we are reminded that Tanzania is one it is our country, we love it, and we protect it for the benefit of present and future generations. Ms. Rose Marandu affirmed "Women in the Blue Economy sector, armed with an understanding of their gender and environmental rights, have been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that development includes everyone." She added that they have demonstrated that equality is not charity but investment, and that environmental conservation is not a burden but a legacy. Dr. Salim Hamza said "The presence of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the highest leadership position in the country is a unique catalyst and inspiration for all women in Tanzania. She is a role model who demonstrates that a woman can be a resolute leader with a great vision in championing the nation and the rights of all citizens." He called upon women to emulate President Samia or even surpass her example in the efforts to build the nation and defend the rights of women everywhere.

We declare that the journey of women in the Blue Economy has begun, and it will not stop until Vision 2050 is realized. In the islands of Zanzibar, major economic transformation is unfolding through seaweed a crop that for the past thirty years was not given the priority it deserved by the government. But now, under the leadership of the eighth administration, the government has taken deliberate action by constructing a large seaweed processing plant in Chamanangwe. Dr. Salim Hamza noted, "The completion of this project is part of the government's strategy to add value to marine products rather than selling them raw to foreign markets. 

Previously, substantial profits were being lost, but now these industries will ensure that the profits remain with our own people." This development brings new hope to the people of Zanzibar, who for a long time have depended on the sea as their primary source of daily livelihood. This plant is not merely a production facility, it is a symbol of industrial transformation aimed at uplifting the living standards of vulnerable women. Ms. Perpertual Angima concluded with this call, "Let us use the evidence from the policy study that has been conducted, translate it into action, and work together to transform the system. Because if women are already participating in the Blue Economy, it is now time for them to participate fully in leading it as well." The liberation of women is approaching, and it is the responsibility of all of us to work with diligence and knowledge now.