Navigating Change: Mausooma’s Role in Community Resilience and Climate Advocacy

In the Maldivian island of Gdh. Thinadhoo, where the seas are both a source of life and a growing threat, Mausooma, the President of WEAT NGO, reflects on the impact of climate change and her community’s efforts to navigate the challenges it brings. As storms intensify and the climate shifts, women like Mausooma play an essential role in steering their communities toward resilience, sustainability, and adaptation. For them, the sea, land, and cultural traditions are all interconnected, and as these are threatened by climate change, so too are the lives that depend on them.

Community-Led Solutions for Resilience

When it comes to land management and natural resource decisions, women like Mausooma have taken steps to be involved in shaping the future. “When the land use plan was being developed, our organization was invited to participate,” she says. Although they haven’t yet seen the final version, Mausooma is hopeful that the voices of the women who participated will be reflected in the plan.

“WEAT NGO has also engaged in farming activities with our members, paying a small fee for land use, though we haven’t received permanent farmland yet.” Women are increasingly becoming part of community-led solutions to ensure food security by growing easy-to-manage crops such as palm trees.

This engagement highlights how women are stepping up in land management, supported by organizations like the International Land Coalition (ILC) Asia, and Landesa. These organizations advocate for equitable land rights, recognizing that access to land is key to climate resilience and economic empowerment, especially for women. In the Maldives, where LSM has also been active, such grassroots efforts empower women to play a more significant role in resource management, steering their communities towards sustainability.

Sustainability and Building Resilience

For Mausooma, one of the most immediate actions that could protect the island is the planting of trees. “It’s important to plant the right trees along the edges of the island,” she explains. Trees like the midhili gas (Terminalia catappa) and kaani gas (Cordia subcordata) have deep roots that hold the sand and help protect the shoreline from swells. In the past, the island had a thick layer of vegetation along its coasts, acting as a natural barrier to the sea, but much of this has been lost due to development and the construction of tar roads.

Mausooma has personally taken steps to make her island more climate-resilient. “We’ve organized tree planting activities and beach cleanups every year,” she says. These efforts not only improve the island’s resilience but also raise awareness about the importance of plastic reduction and keeping the oceans plastic-free.

Women’s Voices in Governance

When asked about women’s roles in governance and decision-making, Mausooma is optimistic about the progress her island has made. “We have a prominent number of women in the island council, and they lead many of the council’s efforts to ensure our community’s well-being.” However, she acknowledges that there is still work to be done at higher levels of decision-making. “We need more women in key positions of governance at the national level.”

Mausooma’s organization is working to empower women with the tools and knowledge they need to take on these roles. “Although many women are part of local governance, there needs to be a greater awareness of how they can advance into key decision-making roles,” she says. “This can only change when women feel empowered.”

Economic Impact of Climate Change

The economic challenges posed by climate change are significant, particularly for families who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. In Mausooma’s case, her family has experienced uncertainty due to the unpredictability of the weather. “When the seas are rough, we can’t get boats out, which affects everyone’s livelihood.” This uncertainty has forced many to question whether they should leave the island in search of more stable opportunities. “But it’s hard to think about leaving our home, the place where we have roots.”

For Mausooma, balancing the need to provide for her family while staying connected to her island is a difficult challenge, but one she feels is worth fighting for. “Our community is strong, and we can face these challenges together,” she says.

Women as Environmental Stewards

In Mausooma’s view, women have always been at the heart of environmental stewardship. “It is women who make a home out of the house, a garden out of the land,” she says. Historically, women were vocal and active in island affairs, but in recent years, their voices have been less prominent. Mausooma believes that women need to be re-empowered to take on leadership roles once again.

“Women are deeply connected to the land and sea. We eat the fish from the ocean, we cultivate the land, and we benefit from its fruits,” she says. For Mausooma, the connection between women and the environment is clear, and she hopes that future generations of women will feel empowered to take on the role of environmental guardians.

Coping with Personal Loss

As the climate shifts, unpredictable weather patterns have created new dangers. “We’ve had roofs blown off houses, and motorbikes have fallen in strong winds,” she says. Fires have become more common, and access to previously navigable areas has been lost due to higher waves and swells.

For Mausooma, this represents a significant loss of security and familiarity. “There are places we used to go that we can no longer access,” she says. While she copes with these losses, she acknowledges that the community must come together to find ways to adapt.

She recalls a time when the island experienced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall. “There was a mangrove on one side of the island, and we worked together to dig a stream to drain the water.” Nearly everyone in the community participated in the effort, highlighting the strength of their collective spirit.

“When heavy rainfall causes flooding or roofs to collapse, we come together,” she says. This sense of unity is what gives Mausooma hope as her community faces an uncertain future. She believes that through collaboration and resilience, they can overcome the challenges ahead and preserve their way of life for future generations.

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Header image courtesy: Tufan Chakma