The ReSea Project recently concluded a five-day training on Gender-Inclusive Governance and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Adaptation in the Pemba region of Tanzania including a dedicated day focused on establishing a Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network at the seascape level.
The training adopted diverse, participatory approaches to ensure that the voices, experiences, and engagement of women and youth were central to the process. Beyond conventional training it included dialogues and real-life experience sharing, as well as songs to inspire women to speak up; a “power walk” exercise to trigger dialogue on gender dynamics in marine governance; and peer learning.
ReSea Project reported that, as a result of the sessions, significant positive shifts in men’s perceptions towards women’s participation in LMMA governance were observed. Notably, new male champions independently initiated discussions on addressing gender-based violence in marine spaces and on ways women could recruit their husbands as male champions for women’s rights.
The training also included practical sessions, such as deep diving for coral reef inspections used on coral reef restoration and mangrove training covering species identification, ecological roles, nursery development and transplanting. LMMA practitioners enhanced their knowledge on the importance of expanding conservation areas, steps in initiating new conservation areas, different types of management measures, the role and types of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), technical skills in coral reef restoration and mangrove restoration and the ecological and socio-economic benefits of NbS.
The Tanga-Pemba Seascape is home to ecologically rich coastal and marine ecosystems that sustain the livelihoods of thousands of coastal community members. However, these ecosystems face increasing threats from overexploitation, habitat degradation, climate change, and limited participation of marginalized groups in governance and decision-making processes. To respond to these challenges, the ReSea project has invested in strengthening community-based governance structures, particularly Beach Management Units (BMUs) and Shehia Fisheries Committees (SFCs), making them more inclusive and integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into the governance and management of marine ecosystems.
The project was implemented through a partnership between Mission Inclusion, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT) in collaboration with the Revelational Government of Zanzibar.
The project facilitated the establishment of the Pemba LMMA Forum, which brought together 92 LMMA practitioners from 54 SFCs. Together, they formed the Pemba LMMA Network, elected eight leaders, and jointly developed the Forum’s Terms of Reference (ToR) and an action roadmap.
