Blue is the New Pink: Women Driving Sustainable Seaweed Cultivation & Climate Solutions
Women-led marine stewardship and climate resilience initiatives across coastal Tamil Nadu
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 Stewardship
Supporting ecological restoration and responsible marine resource management.
👩 Women-led Climate Action
Strengthening women’s leadership in climate resilience initiatives.
🤝 Community Participation
Encouraging local ownership and collaborative environmental action.
🌎 Climate Resilience
Building resilient coastal ecosystems through sustainable marine practices.
🐠 Marine Innovation
Advancing innovative seaweed-based products and community entrepreneurship.
Seaweed Initiative Gallery
Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
⚖️ SDG 5
Gender Equality
📈 SDG 8
Decent Work & Economic Growth
🌊 SDG 13
Climate Action
🐠 SDG 14
Life Below Water
🤝 SDG 17
Partnerships for the Goals
“When women lead coastal climate solutions, communities become stronger, ecosystems become healthier, and sustainable futures become possible.”