Miyani Village, Reshmaben

Women Leading Climate Action

Reshmaben Keshubhai Vaghela, a resident of Miyani village, worked as a casual labourer alongside her sisters. Despite having limited formal education, Reshmaben possessed a profound sense of community responsibility but never had the opportunity to showcase it.

Reshmaben is a member of a Self-Help Group formed as part of the community led initiatives under the Nature Based Solutions for Building Resilience in Miyani, Probandar. She took keen interest in the Participatory Rural Initiatives and transformed into a leader. She with other women planted 1,00,000 mangroves along the coastline of Porbandar.

How Women-Led Initiatives Expand Climate Resilience from 10 to 65 Villages

During a crucial stakeholder consultation on the importance of mangroves and the role they play to mitigate flood risks, held at the village, she confidently addressed a gathering of 100 people. This helped in raising awareness about the perils of climate change and motivated other women to do the same. Today, what began as a project for 10 villages has expanded to 65 villages. The project exemplifies the transformative potential of community led initiatives being the backbone of the overall program.

The case of Miyani village exemplifies the transformative potential of community-led initiatives in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. By empowering local leaders like Reshmaben and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, projects like the one undertaken by Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India create lasting impacts.

From Climate Action to Leadership: Women Driving Coastal Resilience

The Coastal Risk Reduction project at Porbandar profoundly empowered women like Reshmaben and her sisters and has had a positive ripple effect on their families, contributing to poverty alleviation and community resilience. Reshmaben is an example of how the work by Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India uplifts local communities not just from a climate perspective, but also helps create local leaders, who are not only aware but also pro- active in safeguarding the environment at the local level. or future generations what began as a project for 10 villages in Gujarat has now expanded in a year with multiple donor partners to cover 65 villages in Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Alibaug, Ponda.

Reshmaben Keshubhai Vaghela remarked, “This project has changed our lives by teaching us the skills to protect our environment. Today, our community is stronger and more sustainable.”