Women-Led Seaweed Initiative in Tamil Nadu Advances Sustainable Livelihoods and Climate Resilience

Women-Led Seaweed Initiative Advances Sustainable Livelihoods and Climate Resilience

Dr. Neelima Jerath, independent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) evaluator, and Dr. Asha L. Giriyan, researcher at TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute, visited the project site in Munaikkad as part of “Blue is the New Pink,” a women-centered seaweed livelihood initiative.

Supported under the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) Operational Phase 7, the initiative is implemented in collaboration with UNDP, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and TERI, with additional support from Esri and Transworld Group.

Women at the Center of Climate Solutions

The initiative places coastal women at the forefront of sustainable seaweed cultivation, marine stewardship, climate resilience, and livelihood development, creating pathways for inclusive economic growth and ecological restoration.

More than 30 women from project villages across Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram participated in the interaction sessions, sharing experiences related to income generation, challenges, youth involvement, and future sustainability of the initiative.

The visitors also travelled by boat to observe the project’s Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) cages and interacted with women showcasing seaweed-based products and foods including soaps, pickles, biryani, cutlets, pakoda, halwa, and jelly.

• Sustainable Seaweed Cultivation Promoting environmentally sustainable livelihoods for coastal women communities.
• Marine StewardshipSupporting ecological restoration and responsible marine resource management.
• Women-led Climate ActionStrengthening women’s leadership in climate resilience initiatives.
• Community ParticipationEncouraging local ownership and collaborative environmental action.
• Climate ResilienceBuilding resilient coastal ecosystems through sustainable marine practices.
• Marine InnovationAdvancing innovative seaweed-based products and community entrepreneurship.