Project launched to document women's role in Kenya's coastal maritime safety

The one-year project, titled Documenting Women's Roles in Coastal Maritime Safety Heritage, will run from 2026 to April 2027. It seeks to preserve oral histories, photographs and community narratives highlighting how women have contributed to safe fishing practices, monitored weather conditions, supported rescue efforts and managed coastal resources over the years.

The programme also aims to create a digital archive of the collected stories, stage a photographic exhibition and convene a stakeholders' dialogue on integrating indigenous knowledge into contemporary maritime safety efforts.

The project will be led by Zetech University after the institution secured funding from Lloyd's Register Foundation to implement the pilot programme.

According to the university's Principal Investigator, Dr. Catherine Chege, the initiative seeks to document contributions by women that have received little attention in maritime policy and heritage discussions.

"By documenting their experiences, we strengthen both cultural heritage and community resilience," she said.

The initiative comes amid growing international calls to preserve traditional knowledge systems while promoting greater participation of women in maritime governance. Organizations including UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Women have advocated for stronger recognition of indigenous knowledge and gender inclusion in the sector.

Project organisers say the findings are expected to inform discussions on incorporating community-based knowledge into modern maritime safety frameworks while preserving the cultural heritage of coastal communities.

Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof. Njenga Munene said the collaboration reflects the institution's focus on research that addresses community challenges and contributes to broader development goals.