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Our News
When a woman's leadership engages coastal communities for change
Ernestine is a 29 year old woman, wife and mother of 4 children. She is also an exceptional leader who has been president of the fishers association "Mahasoa" (which means soothing in English) for two years now. She has succeeded in mobilizing her entire community for marine resources management and literacy in Marohata, near the Belo-sur-Mer Kirindy Mite Biosphere Reserve, Menabe region.
In December 2018, Ernestine was elected by her community as president of the small fishers' association in her village. Aware of the importance of collective action for the good management of marine resources, she manages to bring all the villagers together within the association. "Guiding the villagers to take action was not easy, but after several awareness-raising sessions, we all came together for the good future of our village," she says with obvious satisfaction.
Ernestine voluntarily teaches 35 villagers and with the help of her association, built a shed as a classroom. Her initiative has a positive impact on the management of small-scale fishery in her village. According to Danny Andrianasolo of the WWF, "Since the villagers now know how to read and write, they are able to collect data on the evolution of catches themselves in the fishing areas."
Thanks to their involvement in the "Mahasoa" association, the inhabitants are determined to make every effort for the good management of marine resources. With the support of WWF, Marohata now has 6 community patrol boats that monitor the mangroves areas. The residents have also contributed to the reforestation of 6 hectares of mangroves since December 2019. And some of the good practices of the village are being adopted by the surrounding communities. A surrounding village, Ambalahonko, has banned the use of destructive fishing gear to its fishers following the example of Marohata.
A humble determination of one woman has inspired an entire village and today the community of Marohata is more than ever committed to the conservation of marine resources. Actions that show us that big change comes from small actions and collective effort is a source of hope for conservation.
Ernestine voluntarily teaches 35 villagers and with the help of her association, built a shed as a classroom. Her initiative has a positive impact on the management of small-scale fishery in her village. According to Danny Andrianasolo of the WWF, "Since the villagers now know how to read and write, they are able to collect data on the evolution of catches themselves in the fishing areas."
Thanks to their involvement in the "Mahasoa" association, the inhabitants are determined to make every effort for the good management of marine resources. With the support of WWF, Marohata now has 6 community patrol boats that monitor the mangroves areas. The residents have also contributed to the reforestation of 6 hectares of mangroves since December 2019. And some of the good practices of the village are being adopted by the surrounding communities. A surrounding village, Ambalahonko, has banned the use of destructive fishing gear to its fishers following the example of Marohata.
A humble determination of one woman has inspired an entire village and today the community of Marohata is more than ever committed to the conservation of marine resources. Actions that show us that big change comes from small actions and collective effort is a source of hope for conservation.