Sougou Penda Ngane | May 23, 2025
News Brief
At dawn in Senegal’s Saloum Delta, Seynabou Diatta and her women’s group “Yoon Ndiofor” work along the mangrove-lined riverbanks, harvesting oysters and protecting their ecosystem. Facing threats from industrial development, the group has led mangrove restoration and awareness campaigns since 2007, restoring over 20 hectares and reviving fish populations. Their efforts have slowed erosion, improved livelihoods, and boosted women’s leadership. Seynabou Diatta, the group’s president, says the mangroves are vital: “The mangroves are our natural shield.”
Morning breaks gently over the Saloum Delta River in the Fatick region of Senegal, about 150 kilometers from Dakar. The sun rises slowly, casting a golden glow over the calm waters. Along the riverbanks, women are already hard at work, harvesting oysters clinging to the roots of mangrove trees. Among them is 56-year-old Seynabou Diatta, president of the women’s group GIE “Yoon Ndiofor,” which means “together to serve our communities,” based in the village of Nemebah. The group includes 58 women and two men, and is part of the “And Defar Niombato” federation, a network of 52 villages in the municipality of Toubacouta, as well as a member of the National Federation of Economic Interest Groups for Fisheries in Senegal. Mrs. Diatta says, “The mangroves are our source of life. We protect them like babies.”
In response to the growing threats to mangroves and the coastal ecosystem—particularly from industrial gas and oil exploitation—women in the region have taken action to protect these vital environments and sustain the benefits they offer. Since 2007, with support from the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) and the NGO Enda Graf Sahel, they have led mangrove reforestation and arch seeding campaigns in the communities of Dionewar, Niodior, Falia, and Simal. These grassroots efforts have successfully mobilized entire communities around the cause of environmental protection. To strengthen their impact and ensure collaboration, the women created a brigade system to foster mutual support and collective action. Mrs. Diatta says, “Here, the women are united. When some are busy, others take over.”
Beyond reforestation, the women also raise awareness in communities about the importance of protecting mangroves. Mrs. Diatta explains, “We tell community leaders that it’s thanks to the mangroves that fish can reproduce.” These awareness campaigns have helped engage youth, fishers, and elders. The group’s president adds that discussions with the village chief of Nemebah led to the creation of community rules for harvesting and using the resources provided by the mangroves. There are specific periods for harvesting and biological rest periods. A mixed surveillance committee—composed of women, men, and officials from the fisheries department—was created to penalize any illegal cutting of mangrove trees.
Fatou Ndoye, coordinator of the agro-food sector at Enda Graf Sahel, emphasizes that mangroves are crucial for both biodiversity and the resilience of local communities, as they provide a vital habitat for fish reproduction. She adds that mangrove leaves play an important role in lowering soil salinity, making the land more suitable for market gardening. According to Ndoye, mangroves are not only an ecological asset but also a central pillar of women’s organization and leadership in the Saloum Delta.
The women’s mobilization is already showing tangible results. According to Mrs. Diatta, the reforestation campaigns have successfully restored more than 20 hectares of mangroves, paving the way for the return of previously disappearing species such as the Thiof, a prized type of sea grouper. Coastal erosion has slowed, and the bolongs—the mangrove-lined channels—are functioning more effectively.
Women are now reaping the benefits of healthier ecosystems, gaining access to fish and other natural resources. They sell byproducts such as wood, fish, crabs, and oysters, allowing them to earn more stable incomes and better provide for their families. She adds that mangroves are full of virtues—every part from leaf to root has health benefits. Restoration efforts have slowed the sea’s advance and reduced flooding in certain areas.
Economically, women now enjoy more stable incomes thanks to better use of mangrove products. Their status in the community has also strengthened due to their central role in managing natural resources. Mrs. Diatta concludes, “The mangroves are our natural shield.” By protecting this ecosystem, the women of the Saloum Delta are also protecting their future, their culture, and the balance of a territory where water, land, and life are deeply interconnected.
