Breaking tides: Muslim women shatter barriers in Kenya's marine fisheries Sector

Ziza Mbarak Said and Manthura Yussuf -Founder Malindi women in fisheries, At shella fish landing site malindi. [Levis Musumba, Standard] Tucked away in the historic town of Malindi is the ancient fishing village of Shella, where the ocean's restless tides carry echoes of a once-thriving past. Once a bustling port in the Indian Ocean trade network during the 9th and 15th centuries, Shella welcomed majestic dhows from Arabia, Persia, India, and later Europe. While the rest of the coast gradually embraced modernisation, Shella was left behind. Its resilient people, underserved and with untapped potential, have long struggled to move forward. On the edge of Shella's shoreline, where the scent of salt and seaweed fills the morning air, Mariam Faumu sits outside her modest fish shop, expertly removing scales from a gleaming pile of red snappers. A veteran fish trader since 1990, Faumu is not just a businesswoman but a custodian of a generational heritage rooted in the Indian Ocean's turquoise waters. In a community where tradition has long confined women to the margins of the fishing economy, Faumu is one of the few Muslim women in Shella to defy cultural and religious expectations claiming a share in the growing blue economy. "Shella's deeply conservative culture has long limited women's roles, especially in male-dominated sectors like fishing. It was once unheard of for women to be at fish landing sites, let alone participate in Beach Management Units," says Faumu. Her words echo a quiet revolution, signaling a shifting tide in Shella. Elizabeth Luvuno and her peer sorting dagaa at Kibuyunu village in Kwale County on Apr 2, 2025. [Levis Musumba, Standard] The women of Shella are among the mere 10 percent of female fishers out of the 28,000 registered nationwide, as per the 2020 Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) report. The 68-year-old Faumu, wrapped in a flowing hijab and an aura of resilience, tends to her modest fish stall. However, Faumu has battled more than just the ocean tides. She defied deep-seated gender roles and religious norms to carve out a space for herself in Kenya's male-dominated fisheries industry. "I started this work in 1990 with only Sh2,000. People said it was not a job for a Muslim woman. Had I listened to them, I'd be starving," Faumu recalls. Today, her business is worth Sh100,000, and she is a proud member of the Malindi Women in Fisheries Entrepreneurship group, a woman-led initiative that is turning the tide for Muslim women along Kenya's coast. Traditionally, fishing was a male-dominated trade, with women confined to domestic chores or small-scale market vending roles, often subjected to cultural scrutiny. But women like Aziza Mbarak, a teacher by profession, are now helping turn the tide in Shella's developing blue economy. "Today, I deal in premium seafood like tuna and octopus, supplying not only the local Malindi market but also clients from beyond," says Mbarak, beaming with pride. Clad in a black hijab, she smiles as she holds up a gigantic octopus, a true symbol of her success. With an initial capital of Sh50,000, her business has grown to a value of Sh300,000, a testament to her resilience and sharp decision-making. "My goal was simple: survive and provide for my children," Mbarak said, gently sorting through the catch. "I never imagined I'd grow a business that moves over Sh100,000 worth of stock every single day. This is more than just business. It's empowerment," she added. Rukia Pamba Juma, Founder and Chair of Pweza Women Group, Kilifi, Kilifi County with members of the group. [Levis Musumba, Standard] Her journey is not just one of personal success but a powerful symbol of how Muslim women in coastal Kenya are breaking barriers and redefining their place in the blue economy. Women make up nearly 50 percent of the global fisheries workforce, particularly in post-harvest activities such as processing, trading, and marketing, according to the FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 report. Despite women's critical contributions, the World Bank's Hidden Harvest &amp; Gender in Fisheries report shows women hold only 19 percent of leadership roles in worldwide fisheries and aquaculture organizations. Determined to change the narrative of women's exclusion in coastal fisheries is Manthura Yussuf Abdul-Razak, a 34-year-old ICT graduate and the visionary founder of the Malindi Women in Fisheries Entrepreneurship Group. Scepticism and cultural resistance greeted her vision when she launched the group in 2020 with just 15 women. "People laughed at us," she recalls. "They said women had no place in fisheries, that it was a man's world." But Abdul-Razak pressed on. Today, her group has grown into a powerful grassroots movement with over 400 active members-a revolution by any standard. "Religion and culture have been the biggest barriers," she explains. "Women were not allowed to fish or even hold leadership positions in Beach Management Units (BMUs), which govern coastal fisheries. We were invisible in decisions that affected our livelihoods." Since then, she has supported the formation of over 10 women-led fisheries groups across Kilifi County, advocating for equal opportunities in the blue economy. "We are no longer waiting to be invited to the table," Abdul-Razak says with conviction. "We are building our table, and we're bringing other women with us." For fish traders like Esha Rashid, who ventured into the business seven years ago with just Sh2,500, the struggle is real. "There were days I had to sell fish under the hot sun and lose almost everything due to spoilage," she recalls. Amidst these challenges, Abdul-Razak's advocacy and leadership are reshaping coastal fisheries, paving the way for a more equitable future for women in the blue economy. "The biggest challenge we are battling is the cultural barrier. This community often restricts women from engaging in certain businesses, sometimes using religion as a pretext. It's difficult to break those cultural norms," she said. She further highlights a key issue affecting the financial independence of women in the sector. "For many women in this fisheries industry, even those who have succeeded, their husbands or male relatives still control their finances. This poses a serious risk to their financial independence. What happens if he wakes up one day and empties the bank account? That could be the end of her business." Abdul-Razak is not only advocating for more women in leadership but also supporting financial autonomy for women in coastal communities. The Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project, funded by the World Bank, has also donated 20 freezers to women fish traders in Malindi, including Mariam and Esha, helping to reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes. "KEMFSED has also offered training in leadership, business management, and modern fish-handling techniques, empowering women with the tools to unlock economic opportunities and reclaim their dignity," says Lucy Kapombe, KEMFSED Project Coordinator in Kilifi County. "What we need to change in this sector is not just equal gender representation but also equality in access to credit and fair payment for women's services," she adds. Aziza Mbarak, a local teacher and vice chair of Malindi Women in Business, now runs a thriving fishery business worth Sh300,000. "We can store our fish and sell it at better prices, meaning better school fees for our children and food on the table," she says. Mbarak's group, made up of 40 women, is committed to growing together. The sustainable use of ocean and water resources contributes over Sh400 billion annually to Kenya's GDP. However, women like Faumu, who have worked in the fisheries sector for decades, are only now receiving the recognition they deserve. In coastal communities like Shella, Muslim women face added exclusion due to the intersection of gender and religion. Through persistent advocacy, Abdul-Razak has helped elevate the voices of Malindi's women's groups in national policy discussions. "The Malindi Women in Fisheries Entrepreneurship Group has managed its fish businesses without fear of losses. We are now scaling the project to all Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kilifi to ensure women are included in fisheries decision-making," says Kapombe.

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