A groundbreaking study, “Women of the Mangroves: Agency, Environmental Stewardship, and Sustaining Life in the Gulf of Guayaquil,” sheds light on the vital yet underrecognized role of women in mangrove ecosystems. Conducted between May and July 2023 as part of the Monitoring of Mangrove Coverage in Ecuador service, this study highlights the contributions, challenges, and potential of women in sustaining the mangroves, with the innovative MANGLEE tool playing a pivotal role in empowering these women.
The research reveals how women crab-fishers and fishers from rural and peripheral neighborhoods have stepped into an activity traditionally dominated by men. Their connection to the mangrove is ancestral, rooted in the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Despite facing violence, insecurity, and systemic gender discrimination, these women have developed a deep relationship with the mangrove ecosystem that transcends economic survival—it represents a source of life, community resilience, and environmental stewardship.
Key Findings:
Ancestral Connection: Women’s involvement in mangrove ecosystems is longstanding, yet societal norms have relegated their contributions to the margins, particularly in red crab harvesting—a domain historically controlled by men.
Structural Barriers: Discrimination, violence, and gender-based inequalities hinder women’s participation in the mangrove economy. Stereotypes, lack of access to education, and limited technological resources exacerbate these challenges.
Community Agency: Women have emerged as guardians of the mangroves, fostering sustainable practices and strengthening community bonds through shared governance, labor, and territorial agency.
Policy Gaps: The lack of inclusive public policies perpetuates the invisibility of women’s roles, limiting their access to resources while exposing them to heightened risks due to the informal nature of their work.
Technological Empowerment: Tools like MANGLEE are bridging the gap by providing women with geospatial data and technical knowledge, enhancing their capacity to monitor, protect, and sustainably manage the mangroves.
The study underscores the urgency of investing in education, inclusive policies, and technological resources to support women’s full participation in mangrove conservation. It concludes that women’s engagement is essential not only for ecosystem sustainability but also for the socio-economic well-being of their communities.
“This study brings to the forefront the untold stories of women who sustain life in the mangroves of Guayaquil,” said Sandra Terán, GESI Coordinator at SERVIR Amazonia. “Their resilience, knowledge, and stewardship are crucial for the future of these ecosystems, and it is time they are recognized and supported through inclusive policies and equitable access to resources.”
For more information on the study and its findings, please contact:
Sandra Terán
Fundación EcoCiencia
sandrateran@ecociencia.org