Zanzibar’s Seaweed Industry Surges, Yet Women Workers Still Wait For Fair Pay

Along Zanzibar’s shores, women gather seaweed, their vibrant garments inviting the attention of onlookers. The very sunscreen favored by vacationers may incorporate this local harvest.This eco-conscious industry, employing thousands of women, captivates imaginations but conceals harsher realities beneath the surface. Mwanaisha Makame Simai, a seaweed farmer, notes, “Laboring in the sea brings aches in my back, waist, and chest, alongside risks like stings and drowning.”While this practice has flourished for decades, a surge in global demand is prompting newfound interest. Primarily catering to food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, seaweed now ranks as Zanzibar’s third-largest economic contributor.Klara Schade, director at Mwani Zanzibar, underscores the transformation. “A decade ago, those working in seaweed were ridiculed,” she observes, “Today, it thrives.” Yet, challenges abound, including health risks from long hours under the sun and rising sea temperatures pushing harvesters to deeper waters. Advocates like Mhando Waziri strive to ensure these women receive adequate support and empowerment in this evolving landscape.

Image Credit: (Wikipedia Commons)