Empowering Women in Setiu: community and conservation engagement

Abstract

In 2006, Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad embarked on a partnership with WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature) to create environmental awareness among the local community in Kampung Mangkok, Setiu, a coastal village in the state of Terengganu, of the natural riches that lie at their doorsteps as well as to improve their livelihoods through a sustainable development programme that empowers the women in the community. After a survey of the socio-economic needs and existing conditions of communities in key villages in Setiu, capacity building needs and training of the local communities, particularly the women of Setiu were identified. The particular emphasis on the women was justified on the basis that as mothers and co-income earners, they had an important role to play in the area's long-term development in a sustainable manner. Following this, PEWANIS (Persatuan Wanita Kampung Mangkok Setiu) or also known as the Women Society of Kampung Mangkok, Setiu, a non-formal group comprising local women from the village of Kampung Mangkok, Penarik in Setiu was established. This group underwent training and capacity building activities to equip themselves with knowledge in entrepreneurship to gain additional income. Besides the opportunity for better standards of living through gaining additional income, the women were also targeted to help ensure that the fragile wetlands ecosystem is safeguarded. They were required to learn nature conservation particularly on wetlands, turtles and terrapins in order for them to spread conservation awareness to communities in Setiu. In addition, PEWANIS champions mangroves conservation through replanting and awareness efforts within their village. The "Empowering Women in Setiu" Project has since encouraged PEWANIS venturing into low impact tourism activities catering to local and international visitors. They are now generating additional income through activities such as mangroves replanting with visitors, local kite making, traditional chips making and catering. During these visits, the women will also highlight importance of nature conservation to the visitors. Over the years, they have had the opportunity to welcome groups ranging from multi national companies, NGOs, colleges, universities to schools in Malaysia participating in their low impact tourism activities. In addition, this project has also become an academic topic to students from universities and colleges both local and international. This project is a unique case study because of its innovative approach, which combined generating additional income of the women's group as well empowering them to become the environmental guardians of the area to conserve mangroves, wetlands and turtle conservation.