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Guardians of the Coast:

Rural Women of the SEA

By IW:LEARN

October 29^th, 2025

The powerful, yet often under-recognized, force in environmental stewardship is the focus of the GEF/UNEP/UNOPS SCSSAP Project this International Day of Rural Women on 15 October. Across the globe, it is rural women in coastal and sea resource management whose firsthand knowledge and tireless labor prove absolutely vital to the health of the world's oceans and the livelihoods of their communities.

The Blueprint of Women Leadership

Globally, women are key players in conservation efforts, often the first to notice the impact of pollution, climate change, or deforestation due to their roles as resource gatherers and caregivers.

While women make up half the workforce in marine and coastal industries like fisheries and tourism, they frequently hold the lowest-paid, lowest-status, and least-protected positions. Despite these systemic barriers, involving women in decision-making for natural resource management, including fisheries, is proven to increase the adoption of sustainable environmental practices.

Excluding women’s voices results in their unique needs and expertise being left out of decisions, often with negative consequences for conservation goals. When given the opportunity, their involvement boosts coastal resilience and inspires others, demonstrating that their unique perspectives and dedication are crucial for environmental health.

The Seas of East Asia (SEA), a global epicenter of marine biodiversity, are particularly vulnerable to the compounding crises of climate change, pollution, and unsustainable resource use. Women in the region account for up to 55% of workers in the pre- and post-fishing processes. Yet, women in coastal areas face multi-dimensional challenges. Their immense contributions to key sectors like fisheries, aquaculture, processing, marketing, and environmental conservation are often undervalued.

A 2018 study on the coastal sector in South and Southeast Asia showed that women's participation in decision-making is negligible at all levels in many countries, including Cambodia, China, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In countries like Indonesia, their roles often go unrecognized in policies and professional recognition. However, community-based empowerment initiatives in countries like Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand demonstrate their capacity to act as change agents in recovery and long-term sustainability.

"As women who are directly involved in coastal and marine activities, we also have opinions and views that should be taken into consideration when decisions are to be made."

Rina Wati, Turtle Conservation Advocate, Mapur Island in Bintan Regency, Indonesia

Voices from the Frontlines

Four women from the SCSSAP project sites in Indonesia and Thailand exemplify the essential, groundwork being done to manage and restore coastal ecosystems.

In Berakit Village of Bintan Island in Indonesia, Puspa Anggraini leads crucial mangrove conservation efforts. Participating in a women's empowerment and ecosystem restoration program, Puspa and other women nurtured and planted 50,000 mangrove trees. They gained knowledge in sustainable preservation and developed new, environmentally friendly income streams through training in batik and eco-print products using natural dyes from mangroves. Puspa's motivation is driven by a simple desire to “take care of the nature that has taken care of us,” believing that women's involvement brings “care, sincerity, and hope for a better life” to coastal communities.

Just a short distance away in Mapur Village, Bintan Island, Indonesia, Rina Wati champions turtle conservation. Concerned that large amounts of trash pollute the beach where sea turtles breed, Rina frequently organizes and leads beach cleanups to ensure the turtles can breed well. Her dedication has inspired many other women and young people to join the conservation activities. Rina firmly asserts that as women are directly involved in coastal and marine activities, their opinions must be considered in decision-making.

At the Don Hoi Lot Wetland in Thailand, Village Head Suphap Kongraksa became inspired, in 2005, to act after noticing a sharp decline in razor clams and other marine and forest resources following years of overfishing and illegal fishing. She has been leading local efforts to restore the natural resources by reducing waste, collecting trash, and planting trees. Suphap emphasizes that she cannot succeed alone, stressing that “the community must help me as well” and calling on government agencies to “cooperate, place their trust in the villagers, and listen to us.”

"Being a good leader should not be limited by gender. Anyone can lead as long as they have the knowledge, ability, and determination to protect our environment."

Amara Wichithong, a former windsurfing Olympian turned marine debris cleanup champion in Thailand

Meanwhile, near the Chonburi Sea in Thailand, former Windsurfing Olympian Amara Wichithong has channelled her energy into environmental conservation. Having watched the local environment change for the worse over nearly 50 years, her greatest inspiration is the need to protect their home. Amara organized tens of thousands of volunteers for massive marine debris cleanups, including one single event that collected an incredible 4.5 tons of trash. Amara believes that leadership in environmental management should not be limited by gender, as anyone with the “knowledge, ability, and determination to protect our environment” can lead

Leading by example. Rural women at the SCS SAP Project sites in Indonesia and Thailand are at the forefront of community cleanups, razor clam restocking, turtle conservation, livelihood programmes, gender mainstreaming, and youth empowerment.

Fusing Wisdom, Technology and Policy

The tenacity and stewardship championed by women like Puspa, Rina, Suphap, and Amara is the essential bedrock of conservation, but its future lies in integration — fusing local, hands-on wisdom with modern technology and an inclusive approach. Initiatives like training in geotagging of hands-on mangrove planting into scientifically tracked spatial data, proves successful synergy. Sophisticated technology, including satellites, AI, and drone mapping, can provide macro-data, while women provide the vital "ground truth," context, and the critical "when and how" of coastal management. This can offer diversify livelihoods while reducing pressure on vital marine resources.

Harnessing this immense strength, the path forward requires structural change: environmental management must invest in gender-responsive training and engagement, ensuring women are equipped with the digital literacy and tools needed to translate their local expertise into formal scientific and policy contributions. In the same manner, women’s roles as fishers and resource managers must be formally recognized to unlock equal access to economic benefits and government support.

The SCS SAP Project is providing inclusive decision-making spaces by ensuring that the voices and expertise of women, even those geographically isolated, are actively represented in its governance and scientific structures. The project actively promotes gender-balanced participation in its site implementation and monitors transformational effects of the project to women and youth. After all, only by empowering stakeholders on-the-ground can any initiative secure a future where its coastal and marine ecosystems are protected, resilient, and thriving for all.

About the Project

Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) are productive ocean areas near continents, crucial for both the environment and coastal economies. Because LMEs face threats like pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing, they require transboundary cooperation. The "Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand" (GEF/UNEP/UNOPS SCS SAP Project) addresses these challenges in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand LMEs. Funded by the GEF and implemented by UNEP, the project unites six countries — Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, to promote sustainable management. With UNOPS support, the SCS SAP Project helps these countries achieve the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) goals through regional and national actions. This aims to maintain healthy, productive, and resilient LMEs.

For more information, contact the Senior Project Manager, Anders Poulsen (andersp@unops.org), and visit the project website (www.scssap.org).

Footnotes

Words by Khristine Gudczinski. Contributions by Suwimol Sereepaowong and Heru Waluyo Koesworo. Cover Photo: Suphap Kongraksa of Thailand, one of the guardians of our coasts. We celebrate her leadership and all rural women protecting marine ecosystems this International Day of Rural Women. Photos by SCS SAP Project. All photos in this story may not be reused without the explicit permission of the SCS SAP Project