The Ocean Was Just the Ocean. Until I Knew Better.
A conversation with Khadija Mohammed Dossa, written by Waithira Kunene
I was raised on Mkwiro Island, surrounded by the ocean. As a child, the sea was just… the sea. A vast, beautiful place where our fathers sailed out in dau and returned with bountiful catches of all kinds. This was the norm. We watched, we learned, and we helped carry the fish home.
We could collect corals and play with them, never aware of their value. Back then, leaving the island was rare. Boats were few, and movement was slow. But things evolved and so did our understanding of what the ocean meant.
When I was growing up, women mostly fished for octopus. That was our space, shallow waters, near the shore. We never went beyond. Never even in our imagination.
But today, I see young women becoming divers, fearlessly exploring the ocean and inspiring others to follow. The tide is turning. Women in my village are taking up space, not just at sea, but in leadership too.
From Eco-credit to Confidence
The introduction of eco-credit groups changed everything. Suddenly, protecting marine resources came with benefits, financial support, recognition, and a sense of purpose.
Being in a group made more women get involved in conservation. The awareness worked. The community began to understand that the ocean isn’t just for fishing, it’s for safeguarding, sustaining, and building futures.
I Never Saw It, Until I Saw Her
I started out as a Mkwiro Beach Management Unit (BMU) member, then became vice-secretary, then a data collector. Becoming chairlady was never my agenda not because I didn’t believe in myself, but because I had never seen a woman lead.
Then I started interacting with a neighbouring BMU, and that’s when it clicked in me – I could too if I wanted. And with encouragement from my family, my community, and local leaders, I vied as a BMU chairlady and got elected. They trusted me, and I rose to the task.
Leadership Isn’t Always Easy, But It’s Worth It
Being a chairlady comes with its challenges, like any leadership role. But I’m proud of myself for not giving up. I’m proud that my presence has inspired other women to step forward. That alone makes it worth it.
My perspective of the ocean has since changed. It’s not just a body of water. It’s a source of life.
Yes, it gives us fish. But it also gives us tourism, income, education, and endless opportunities hidden in its depth and diversity. Through the BMU, our community no longer just uses the ocean, we protect it.
Just as I was inspired by another woman, I hope to inspire others too, especially the young girls in my village. I may be the first woman chairlady in my BMU, but I know I won’t be the last.
We all have a place in the ocean’s story.
Sometimes, we just need someone to remind us, the tide is changing.
Khadija Mohammed Dossa – Kenya
Khadija is the first woman to serve as Chairlady of the Mkwiro Beach Management Unit (BMU), on Kenya’s southern coast. Born and raised on Mkwiro Island, Khadija’s journey from data collector to BMU leader reflects a powerful shift in gender roles and community leadership.
Waithira Kunene is a data storytelling and communications professional passionate about transforming local insights into impactful narratives. She holds a background in computer science and brings hands-on experience in community engagement and sustainable livelihoods programming.