When the Fish Disappear, So Does Safety: Climate Change Fuels Gender-Based Risks Along Pangani’s Coast
Pangani, Tanzania – When sardines disappear from Pangani’s coastal waters, so too does the safety of many women. As climate change drives fish scarcity, reports have emerged of women and young women in marine-related work being asked for sexual favours in exchange for access to dwindling catches, a disturbing and often overlooked impact of climate change induced stress.
This revelation surfaced during an inclusive stakeholder consultation meeting held in Pangani to explore the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change. The meeting was part of a broader awareness-raising initiative under the ReSea Project, a regional program designed to enhance the physical and socio-economic resilience of coastal communities across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). In Tanzania, the project is implemented in partnership with Mission Inclusion (MI), IUCN, the Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFT-T) and Ocean Hub Africa (OHA), with funding from Global Affairs Canada.
Participants in the session included women, youth in Blue Economy Groups, Beach Management Unit (BMU) representatives, and local leaders. Together, they shed light on how climate change not only threatens environmental sustainability but also deepens social vulnerabilities and gender inequalities. The discussion revealed how resource scarcity exacerbates exploitation, particularly for women and girls who already face systemic barriers to leadership, decision-making, and economic empowerment in the marine sector.
One participant, a woman engaged in sardine processing for over a decade, gave a chilling testimony:
“I have been in this value chain for more than 10 years, and based on what I’ve seen and experienced, I wouldn’t even allow my daughter to engage in this business,” she said.
Beyond the testimonies of exploitation, the consultation unpacked deeply entrenched gender dynamics such as:
Cultural norms and gender roles that confine women to domestic spaces
The heavy caregiving burden, especially in households with many children
Low literacy and lack of education, particularly among older women
Gender bias in leadership selection within BMUs and SFCs
Limited youth engagement, especially among young men who perceive leadership roles as unrewarding due to their voluntary nature
Distrust and lack of confidence experienced by women and youth in engaging with decision-making spaces
In response to these challenges, a community-wide awareness-raising session was held in Pangani Magharibi Ward, featuring participatory theatre, youth and women testimonies, and open dialogue. The event aimed to challenge harmful gender norms, raise awareness of climate impacts, and encourage inclusive participation in marine conservation and governance.
“Voices of women and youth echoed across Pangani’s Magharibi Ward as community members, local leaders, and BMUs came together in a powerful awareness-raising session aimed at challenging gender inequality and promoting environmental stewardship,” Glory Mbia WFTT Gender Coordinator Stated. “Through theatre, stories, and open dialogue, the community explored how climate change and marine conservation affect men and women differently and committed to building a more inclusive future.”
The initiative underscores a critical truth: climate change is not gender-neutral, and neither should the solutions be. By spotlighting the often-silenced voices of women and youth, the awareness session marks a meaningful step toward gender-responsive conservation in the Western Indian Ocean.