Women-led mangrove restoration along Kenya’s southern coast is bringing back fish stocks and protecting communities from coastal erosion.
Along Kenya’s southern coast, the mangrove forests of Shimoni-Vanga have been steadily declining due to overharvesting for construction and charcoal production. This loss has devastated fish breeding grounds and left coastal communities vulnerable to erosion and storm surges.
With support from GEF-SGP Kenya, the Vanga Women’s Mangrove Conservation Group has restored over 30 hectares of degraded mangrove forest. The group, composed entirely of women from local fishing communities, has nursed and planted over 50,000 mangrove seedlings since 2024.
The results have been transformative. Fish stocks in restored areas have increased by an estimated 40%, providing direct economic benefits to over 200 fishing families. The restored mangroves also sequester approximately 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
This project showcases the intersection of gender empowerment, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation that defines SGP’s holistic approach to community-led environmental action.