Women’s Journey in Promoting Sustainable Resource Management in the Coral Triangle

This story is the second part of the article “The Journey of Women Supporting Natural Resource Management in the Coral Triangle.” The first part of this article can be found here.

Next, colleagues from TNC Asia Pacific shared insights and guided discussions on the critical role women play in natural resource management. During this session, the mamas were invited to share stories about women’s daily lives in their villages and the activities directly connected to natural resources in their respective communities.

As the stories flowed, those of us in attendance who live in urban areas—myself included—listened with a sense of awe. We were reminded that essential needs such as food, household items, housing materials, clean water, and many other necessities of daily life are sourced directly from the natural environment surrounding their communities. It felt strikingly different from life in the city, where such needs are often far removed from nature.

After reflecting on the natural assets they depend on, the mamas were then asked to illustrate what life in their villages looks like today and to share their hopes and visions for the future, including how they work with men and boys.

What stood out most was how their stories reflected a shared hope for a better future. For them, understanding that natural resources must be managed and used wisely by all members of the community is essential to ensuring a sustainable way of life.

Later in the day, sessions on access to  finance opened up space for discussions that deepened participants’ understanding of financial management—at the individual, group, and community levels. These sessions reinforced the idea that women can also play a critical role in responding to crises, particularly as natural resources continue to decline due to climate change, which directly affects their livelihoods and daily lives. Oyunchimeg Togoodorj, fondly known as Oyuna, a Rural Development and Sustainable Finance Officer from TNC Mongolia, shared her experiences supporting community groups in establishing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Her firsthand experience facilitating the formation of village savings and loan institutions sparked lively discussions and a question‑and‑answer session with the mamas, many of whom were eager to learn more about how such systems could work in their own communities.

Inspiring, isn’t it? And this was only the first day. Let’s continue with their stories on the second day of the REX meeting here.