Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The fight against climate change is seeing women emerge as powerful leaders around the globe, and Tanzania is no different. At the WomenLift Health conference in Dar es Salaam, Zuhura Ahmad, Program Head at the Women in Recycling Foundation in Tanzania, proudly took center stage to contribute to this crucial movement.
"But beyond the aesthetic, this plastic tide threatens marine biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. Into the heroines of our story, women in Tanzania, who despite often being marginalized, have risen as leaders in the fight against plastic pollution. They don't just wear capes, they are armor to their unwavering spirit."She highlighted inspiring stories of Tanzanian women tackling plastic pollution.
"The answer lies in innovative solutions like seaweed farms along the coast. These farms not only combat plastic pollution but also offer a hopeful vision for the future. Women like Halima lead these farms, cultivating not just seaweed but also hope. Mangrove restoration projects spearheaded by women's collectives act as natural barriers against plastic entering the ocean. Each planted mangrove symbolizes growth and resilience.
I think the advocacy but also the capacity building to know what innovation they can do to address climate change. But also the knowledge-sharing platforms so that they to get aware and interact and network with people who are absolutely at the forefront of shaping climate action. And of course, centering women and girls in the case of gender and climate.
I have seen the women and girls in the case of climate action, they have been very active. Now they advocate, they are using their social media and advocacy platforms well to advocate for climate change and it is action. So I think this is a transformative change for them, for the girls and women to understand and see how they can amplify their voices to empower other girls and women in their community to understand what they can do to address this crisis that is affecting the world.