Role of Women in Coastal Ecosystem Management in Balochistan, Pakistan: An Ecofeminist and Socio-Ecological Analysis

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, overexploitation and weak governance, particularly in developing regions. This study examines the role of women in coastal ecosystem management in Balochistan, Pakistan, through an integrated ecofeminist and socio-ecological lens. Drawing on qualitative data from 26 semi-structured interviews conducted in Gwadar, Pasni, and Ormara, the study employs thematic analysis to explore women’s contributions, structural constraints and impacts on sustainability outcomes. Findings demonstrate that women contribute significantly to ecosystem resilience through sustainable resource practices, waste management and intergenerational knowledge transmission. However, their participation remains constrained by entrenched gender norms, limited institutional inclusion and economic marginalization. The study advances theoretical understanding by integrating ecofeminism with socio-ecological systems theory, highlighting how gendered knowledge systems enhance adaptive capacity. It argues that gender-inclusive governance is not only socially just but ecologically necessary. The paper contributes to interdisciplinary debates on gender, sustainability and environmental governance, offering policy-relevant insights aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 5 and 14).

KEYWORDS: Ecofeminism, Socio-Ecological Systems, Coastal Governance, Gender, Sustainability, Balochistan