In each of the countries where Pathfinder works, women’s health has become more intricately linked with climate change. Climate resilience efforts have become crucial for improving and sustaining health and development. In Kenya’s Lake Victoria region, where fishing is a vital economic activity, rural fishing communities confront these connected challenges, which have a deep impact on women.
Climate change has adversely affected the lake ecosystem, leading to reduced fish catches that threaten the livelihoods and health of women. These women face health challenges, including HIV, due to social norms and economic disparities. With fewer fish available, many women fish mongers turn to transactional sex to secure fish to sell. This exploitative “sex for fish” practice reduces their agency over their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) exposes them to sexually transmitted infections (STI) and unintended pregnancy.
To address these issues, the Darwin Initiative, with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), implemented the Pairing Community Conservation Areas with Sustainable Aquaculture in Lake Victoria project from 2021‒2024. Pathfinder’s role aimed to promote gender equity and mitigate health risks as part of the project goals of sustainable aquaculture, enhanced environmental conservation, and resilience to climate change.
Led by Conservation International in partnership with the Homa Bay county government, Pathfinder added a holistic view of sustainable development, including SRH. Project achievements included improved conservation of the lake ecosystem, enhanced access to health services, and reduced reliance on transactional sex. This brief provides an overview of the key strategies and activities that contributed to these results, and offers insights for stakeholders in integrated health, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience programming.
