The women battling rising sea levels in Senegal

As we approach World Water Day (March 22) and World Meteorological Day (March 23), it's impossible to ignore the growing impact of climate change on our planet—especially the rising sea levels that threaten millions worldwide.

These two observances serve as crucial reminders: World Water Day highlights the urgent need for clean water access, while World Meteorological Day emphasises the importance of weather and climate science in protecting lives. This year’s World Meteorological Day theme, "closing the early warning gap together," underscores the need for better forecasting and disaster preparedness.

Rising sea levels now pose an increasing threat to densely-populated coastal areas, exposing millions to displacement, loss of livelihoods, and food insecurity.

In the world’s poorest countries, women and children bear the brunt of these climate-driven changes. One such place, the Saloum Delta islands, including Maya Island, in West Africa are at the frontline of climate change.

Situated at the mouth of the Saloum River, the Delta is rich in biodiversity. But rising sea levels and intense storm surges have caused coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion, making farming impossible.  

Children on Maya Island face a dangerous 4km journey to secondary school due to rising waters. Women, who once earned their living from shellfish, attempted to create safe pathways with shells. Despite their efforts, the journey remains perilous, leading to high dropout rates. The community built a wooden bridge, but it has been severely damaged by the water, posing ongoing risks to students' education.

Some of the women who are leading the response to climate-driven changes in their environment have shared their stories below.

Aida Sarr (middle) with the women of Maya Island, whose daily lives are dedicated to fighting the rising sea levels on Maya. .

Ina Makosi/ActionAid

"There are no more trees and even the grass dries up due to the rise in sea level"

Aida, 40, a community development worker and the matron at the island's 'health hut,' stands at the forefront of this fight. 

She has five children, one of whom is suffering from mental health problems. For Aida and the women she works alongside, daily life is dedicated to fighting the rising sea levels on Maya which are impacting their livelihoods, their safety and the education of their children.  

“Can you imagine that when I came here in 1998, there were a lot of trees around here, but today you can see for yourself that there are no more trees and even the grass dries up due to the rise in sea level making the soil saltier.

"Sometimes, our homes are submerged, our animals have no meadow… even the track which leads to the island of Djirnda is in very bad condition and that sometimes leads to accidents.

"Our children who attend the school of Djirnda often miss their lessons because they cannot get to school and this obviously has an impact on their results."

Kady, a fisherwoman, on Maya, one of Senegal’s disappearing islands. .

Ina Makosi/ActionAid

"The rising sea levels have meant that... the water will go right up to the houses"

Kady, 40, works as a fisherwoman on Maya Island, Senegal, and has had to adapt to rising sea levels in her village. For the past few years, the rising sea levels have meant that when there is high tide, the water will go right up to the houses on the island. Her children have had to move away to continue their studies as the journey was too difficult to make every day.  

Kady and her local women’s group work hard to find solutions to the many challenges they face, including building a bridge so that their children can get to school on the neighbouring island of Djrinda.  

“It is true that there used to be a corridor made of seashells between the islands, but it was full of dangers that you cannot even imagine… So, to avoid all that, we created a bridge for the school children that is a lot less dangerous," says Kady.

“With regards to our children, our deepest wish is for them to succeed in their studies. We always encourage them to persevere.

“In order to keep our children in school and maintain their success, we need a better bridge that will allow them to reach Djirnda even by bike if possible and any help or support in this way will be welcome.” 

Amy (in yellow), with the local women's group, who farm oysters and lead climate adaptation on Djirnda Island. .

Ina Makosi/ActionAid

"Because of climate change, fishing is not what it used to be"

Amy (in yellow) is the president of a local women’s group that focuses on planting mangroves in order to fight the impact of climate change. Traditionally, she has been involved in the production of smoked fish and still aims to do this but has had to diversify. She worries for the future of her children and wants them to have a good education. 

“We do not stand by in the fight against rising sea levels because it is thanks to our dedication to planting mangroves that you do not see the neighbouring Island of Djifère - and yet when we started with these Japanese plants, the men laughed at us but then ended up joining us. This is our greatest achievement.

“Because of climate change, fishing is not what it used to be, because the fish are now scarce. We had to find another alternative, so we diversified by integrating other products.

“I remember from my early childhood to my youth this whole country was bushy… [and] the fishermen often returned with more than thirty (exactly 35) crates per day. Nowadays global warming and rising sea levels have made our living conditions precarious.

“Rising sea levels slow down our activities, and they also deeply affect the schooling of our children - the girls especially who have no other choice but to go to the capital to look for work as a domestic in order to pay for their school supplies.

“Abandoning your studies is the worst mistake you can make today; the fact we didn’t go to school continues to be a real obstacle for us mothers.

“I believe that we (we women) should be entrusted with the sectoral policies at local level to fight against rising sea levels due to global warming given that all the initiatives used came from us even if the men joined us in the end. 

“I would also like to add that work frees men and we are no longer in an era where women must be left with nothing to do. This is why, with great courage and self-sacrifice, I have succeeded in engaging several women with these activities that allow us to meet our needs and those of our children.
 
“That said, we call on the government to have more respect for local communities, especially rural ones.” 

Awa, president of the local women's group, reviving the tradition of beekeeping on the disappearing island of Djirnda. .

Ina Makosi/ActionAid

"Beekeeping will create the revolution we need for our well-being"

Awa is the president of a local women’s group focused on beekeeping. This is a local tradition that has been revived and maintained by local women’s groups as a solution to the social and economic difficulties the island currently faces due to climate change.   

"We have been trying to find ways and means to stop the water invading us through these rising sea levels that haunt our dreams. 

"Our daughters see their parents struggling to provide for their education and sometimes abandon their studies to go to town and work as domestic help to shoulder the burden, and that can lead to a deterioration in morale. 

"Awareness of the need for beekeeping will create the revolution we need for our well-being simply because the life of bees goes beyond economic and ecological aspects. 

"A long time ago we started planting mangroves. After a few years, our women’s groups decided to jointly finance the purchase of fuel and combine our activities given that there was no shortage of expertise, will and human resources."

What ActionAid does to help women and girls fight climate change

ActionAid works with women and girls to strengthen their resilience to climate change in the following ways:

•  We empower women and girls to lead change in their communities.
• We work with women to develop alternative livelihoods and income sources during and after times of crisis or long-term changes through innovative farming methods and tools like table gardening, salt-resistant seeds and climate-resilient livestock.
• We train women and girls in disaster risk reduction by helping them to spot early warning signs and ensuring efficient and timely evacuations during floods and storms.
• We work with women to reduce the impact of climate change. For example, we help women in Cambodia plant mangroves to provide flood protection by reducing the force of oncoming waves and storm surges. 
• We look for sustainable solutions in all aspects of our work. For example, in Nepal, we teach women and girls to make plastic-free, reusable sanitary pads. This enables them to have easy access to safe sanitary products while helping to protect the environment.
• We also focus on climate justice and recognise the responsibility of wealthy countries in leading rapid climate action.

ActionAid works with women and girls to create a more just, equitable and sustainable future. Will you be a part of this long-term change by making a donation?

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