By Anne Maina, Benard Simiyu and Joel Onyango
Introduction
The African Union identifies the Blue Economy as the next frontier in Africa's unfolding transformation. According to the World Bank , “Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem” defines the term Blue Economy. While drastically lowering environmental dangers and ecological scarcities, the concept seeks to increase social fairness and human wellbeing.
In addition to well-established, conventional ocean businesses like fishing, tourism, and maritime transportation, the blue economy also includes new and developing sectors like aquaculture, offshore renewable energy, seabed extractive industries, marine biotechnology, and bioprospecting.
Blue Economy in Kenya
The GDP and fisheries output of Kenya are significantly influenced by the blue economy along its coastline. A substantial amount of Kenya's fish production, particularly from artisanal fishing, comes from the coastal region, and marine fisheries account for between 0.6% and 1% of the country's GDP. Driven by marine biodiversity, coastal tourism has a significant economic contribution as well. However, the sustainability of the industry is threatened by issues including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Notwithstanding these challenges, there are chances for development through the expansion of maritime transportation, the use of marine renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries management, all of which might improve Kenya's coastal development and economic resilience (Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2018).
Coastal Women within Aquaculture: Challenges and Opportunities
Coastal African nations have relied on marine resources for thousands of years. In Kenya's coastal region, women face numerous barriers that hinder their full participation in the Blue Economy, particularly in sectors such as capture fisheries and aquaculture. Despite being integral to their communities, most women are underrepresented in leadership, they lack access to key resources, and information and face social-cultural norms that limit their decision-making power. All this compounded by financial constraints and a lack of technical knowledge, these challenges makes it difficult for women to capitalize on the economic opportunities within the blue economy.
Women's economic empowerment is essential for sustainable growth, pro-poor development, and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 14 mandates states to protect maritime resources to ensure future generations' sustainability. On the other hand, Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 aspires to empower women and girls through education, financial autonomy, and equal rights and responsibilities within society.Women’s economic empowerment demands a sustained commitment from development players, strong public policies, and a comprehensive strategy.
The Blue Empowerment Project
In response to these challenges and opportunity, the Blue Empowerment Project was established as an initiative focused on promoting sustainable practices in marine resource utilization along Kenya's coastline in Kwale and Kilifi counties. The project targets the integration of two key activities: rabbit fish farming and seaweed cultivation, both of which have significant potential to enhance the livelihoods of local communities, particularly women.
Objectives of the Project
- Introduce integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems to improve the productivity and sustainability of rabbit fish and seaweed farming.
- Encourage the adoption of alternative livelihoods, reducing dependency on traditional fisheries while contributing to food security and income generation.
- Specifically target women by providing training in aquaculture techniques, business skills, and environmental sustainability, access to resources, and leadership opportunities in the marine and aquaculture sectors, thereby increasing their economic participation and decision-making power. Women will gain financial independence and increased influence within their households and communities.
The BE Project not only promotes gender equality but also contributes to the broader goals of poverty reduction and sustainable development in coastal areas. Empowering women in the blue economy will lead to more inclusive and resilient communities, ensuring that both women and men benefit from the growing marine sector.
The BE Project Workshop
The project hosted a three-day workshop in Diani, Kwale County from the 18th to 20th September 2024. The workshop brought together consortium partners and stakeholders including the African Centre for Technological Studies (ACTS) Consortium, Bahari CBO Network, Seamoss Corporation Ltd, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), and Kenyatta University to review thus far the progress of the project and plan the next steps. The main objectives included reflecting on the accomplishments and challenges faced during the first phase and aligning the remaining tasks with the goals of the extension period.
The discussions centred around evaluating what has been achieved, identifying the tasks yet to be completed, and strategizing on how to address these pending activities. A key part of the agenda involved setting timelines and expected outputs for the extension phase, and outlining the administrative and financial planning necessary to support the continuation of the project. In addition to the technical aspects, the workshop underscored the importance of market linkages for IMTA products. The project's success hinges on the ability to connect fisherwomen with markets that can sustain their businesses. The development of value chains, combined with ongoing efforts to promote knowledge sharing through community training and student engagement, is vital in scaling the project objectives.
Highlights from the various Work Packages
One of the most significant achievements of the BE project has been the development of the IMTA system optimized under Work Package 4, which has been instrumental in providing women with an economically and environmentally sustainable aquaculture method. By involving women and other community members in the design and setup of IMTA systems, the project has created a platform for their economic empowerment. Women will play a crucial role in cultivating valuable species such as rabbitfish (Siganus sutor) and seaweeds (Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma denticulatum), which contribute to a diversified income base.
In parallel, Work Package 2 has focused on profiling and documenting the gender-responsive challenges and opportunities within the blue economy. The research highlighted the socio-economic barriers faced by women, including limited access to resources, decision-making processes, and markets. The project has employed targeted interventions and provided training in business models and value addition, helping women move beyond low-income activities to higher-value enterprises. In addition, emphasis on the importance of gender equality by advocating for the inclusion of women in leadership roles within the fisheries sector.
In tandem, Work Package 5 has focused on promoting knowledge translation, dissemination, and learning related to IMTA systems and climate change adaptation. Several trainings have been held, covering areas such as; IMTA system operations, gender equity, and business development through cooperatives (SACCOs). In addition, WP5 has produced technical reports, info briefs, blogs, videos, and photo stories to enhance the dissemination of knowledge and ensure that local communities are well-informed about sustainable aquaculture practices. These activities have been pivotal in supporting the capacity development of both students and women in the community.
Under Work Package 3, the project performed extensive research into the socio-technical pathways for adopting IMTA systems. This includes identifying the technical and social constraints that limit women's ability to benefit equitably from aquaculture resources. Through a participatory analysis of existing technologies and governance structures, the project has pinpointed opportunities to enhance women's access to assets, decision-making, and benefits from fisheries resources. The package has also developed a comprehensive inventory of technologies promoted for aquaculture development in coastal communities, which will inform future policy and governance recommendations.
Key lessons learned
Several critical lessons have emerged from the implementation of the Blue Empowerment Project.
- It has become clear that addressing gender inequality requires a holistic approach. Women’s empowerment cannot be achieved by simply providing access to resources. Instead, efforts must address the deep-rooted social and cultural barriers that limit women’s participation in the blue economy. The project has found that peer-to-peer learning fosters leadership and agency among women, allowing them to take on more significant roles in their communities.
- Community ownership is essential for the sustainability of the IMTA system. It is crucial to involve local stakeholders, especially women, in the co-design and implementation of aquaculture models. This participatory approach has ensured that the solutions are technically sound, culturally appropriate and supported by the community.
- The need for gender-responsive policies in fisheries management. The absence of such policies has often left women out of key decision-making roles. By advocating for the inclusion of women in governance structures, such as Beach Management Units (BMUs), the BE project is working to ensure that women have a say in the management and conservation of marine resources.
Next Steps for the Blue Empowerment Project
Looking ahead, the project is focused on scaling up the IMTA systems across more coastal communities in Kilifi and Kwale. By expanding the reach of IMTA, the project aims to increase the number of women benefiting from sustainable aquaculture practices, thereby improving their livelihoods and resilience to climate change. The ongoing data analysis from baseline studies will provide critical insights into the socio-technical, policy, and governance factors affecting women’s participation in aquaculture which will inform the design of more gender-transformative IMTA systems.
Another critical next step is the strengthening of market linkages for IMTA products. The project will work to connect women fishers to larger markets, ensuring that their seaweed and fish products reach both domestic and international buyers. This will involve improving the value chains and providing further training in business skills to ensure that women can capitalize on the economic potential of IMTA.
In terms of advocacy, the project will continue to push for gender-responsive policies in the fisheries sector. This includes promoting women’s leadership in local governance structures and ensuring that women have access to the financial and technical resources needed to succeed in aquaculture. Additionally, the project will focus on building the capacity of local women to lead aquaculture projects and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the blue economy.
In conclusion, the project is making significant strides in addressing the challenges faced by women in Kenya’s blue economy and coastal region. By adopting innovative, climate-smart aquaculture practices and promoting gender-transformative approaches, the project is creating new pathways for women to thrive. Through these efforts, the Blue Empowerment Project is creating a lasting, positive change in the women's lives in Kenya’s coastal communities. By fostering gender equity and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, the project is paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient blue economy. As it evolves, the Blue Empowerment Project stands as a beacon of hope for coastal communities, offering a sustainable, inclusive, and gender-equitable future in the blue economy.
Further reading
https://www.un.org/regularprocess/sites/www.un.org.regularprocess/files/rok_part_2.pdf
