Unlocking Potential: Empowering Women in Indonesian Coastal Communities
Globally, fisheries and aquaculture contribute to the income of around 800 million people. But overfishing is putting increasing pressure on local fish populations and marine biodiversity, while threatening the livelihoods of many.
Fish and seafood are a critical part of the world’s diet. It provides around 3.2 billion people with almost 20 per cent of their average intake of animal protein.
The 2020 SDG target is to effectively regulate harvesting, end overfishing and to implement science-based management plans, so fish stocks can be restored as quickly as possible. Also, SDG 5 calls for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, which is particularly relevant to the fisheries sector. Worldwide, only 11 per cent of those working in the industry are women.
Led by Rare, and supported by KIT Royal Tropical Institute, this project aims to improve the livelihoods of at least 5,000 fishing households across 20 communities in Indonesia’s Southeast Sulawesi province.

A Sea of Change: Improving coastal communities in Indonesia
This project is designed to strengthen the social and economic resilience of men and women participating in fishing activities, and the ecological resilience of fishing areas. In particular, it focuses on increasing gender equity within fisheries. This means giving visibility to women’s roles in fisheries, and empowering women to have a greater voice in community-based fisheries management and decision-making. Sea of Change is embedded in Fish Forever, Rare’s global programme. Fish Forever is a community-led solution to revitalize coastal marine habitats and secure livelihoods of fisher households and communities. It covers the Philippines, Indonesia, Mozambique, Brazil and the MesoAmerican Reef.
Coastal fisheries: What they mean to Indonesian livelihoods
Indonesia’s coral reefs, and the coastal fisheries they support, are an incredible and essential natural asset and a key part of the nation’s cultural heritage. Over 80 per cent of Indonesia’s 2.4 million fishers are small-scale, using small boats and simple gear to fish in nearshore areas for both food and income. Coastal fisheries account for over half of Indonesia’s total wild fish production. And over half of Indonesians’ primary source of protein comes from fish and seafood.
However, Indonesia’s coastal fisheries are severely threatened by unsustainable fishing practices and poor enforcement and governance. Degradation of essential fish habitat and external stressors such as climate change are also a major challenge.
The role of women in Indonesian fisheries
Women in Indonesian fishing communities play a crucial role in processing and selling fish and running community enterprises. But their contributions are undervalued, unaccounted for, and often marginalized. The project aims to increase the visibility of women’s contributions and enhance gender equity in coastal fishing communities. The overall aim is to support a shift in Indonesia’s small-scale fishing communities to be more resilient, empowered and sustainable.
A new model for the region
This project aims to develop community-based management, financial inclusion, value chain opportunities, while improving gender-equity across targeted fishing communities. It will serve as a model for the region in effectively connecting poverty alleviation with community-based natural resource management and linking gender equity to improved environmental outcomes.
The work has the following objectives:
Strengthening gender equity
As a cross-cutting theme, Rare and KIT will strengthen gender equity in natural resource management and decision-making, including recognizing women for their critical role in ensuring the sustainability and economic prosperity of Indonesia’s coastal fisheries.
KIT will apply its expertise through:
