On the island of Gili Air, part of Indonesia's Gili Islands archipelago, a marine conservation course is training women in coral restoration techniques and professional diving skills.
The program brought together a cohort of women, including Gabriela Nathania H, who began the training at age 21.
Participants learn to identify coral species, maintain underwater nurseries, and transplant coral fragments onto degraded reef areas.
The Gili Islands are known globally for their marine biodiversity, but local reefs have faced pressure from tourism, fishing practices, and climate-related stress.
By involving local women directly in restoration work, the initiative addresses both ecological damage and gender barriers in the male-dominated diving industry.
Graduates receive professional diving certifications that qualify them for employment in marine conservation, dive tourism, and research roles.
The course structure combines classroom instruction with extensive underwater practice, building both technical competence and peer support networks among participants.
Organizers say the program model could be replicated in other coastal communities facing similar reef degradation and limited economic opportunities for women.
The “Sisterhood” Protecting Indonesia’s Coral Reefs
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