Written by Hannah Cocks, Head of Creative at SeaVoice.
In a world that often chooses to divide, organise, and categorise, what does it mean to be a woman in conservation? When we say those three words, women in conservation, it feels like giving one name to a many-headed beast. Like calling the ocean a large puddle of water.
With the overwhelming complexity of our modern, globalised world, I understand the allure to over-simplify. But is this normalised practice of oversimplification actually hindering us? What if, as scary as it sounds, we embraced complexity instead?
On it surface, Coral Catch is a marine conservation organisation in Indonesia that trains local women, known as Superwomen, to restore coral reefs. However, the work they do goes far beyond this. Meeting the Coral Catch Superwomen reminded me of the depth and complexity of being a woman: shaped by overlapping identities, unique challenges, and endless expectations. Conservation, too, is multi-faceted; oceans, land, and climate action treated separately, though they are all symptoms of the same problems. But how do these worlds intersect, and can embracing our inner Superwoman help us bridge the gap?
Meeting the Superwomen
The fifteen-minute walk to the Coral Catch headquarters feels more like forty in the intense island heat of Gili Air. There are no honking horns or roaring motorbikes here, as the island only permits bicycles and electric scooters. The odd horse and cart (cidomo) clop by, some at an entirely unnecessary speed, clipping low-hanging tree branches as they careen down narrow alleyways.
I check my socials during the walk, more out of habit than any real desire to use them. As usual, my feed overflows with content that feels both immediately threatening and yet detached from reality: Who’s stronger– women or men? It may be too late to avoid the climate tipping point! Will all the fish be gone by 2050? Not all men! Usually, I would be scrolling the comments, floundering in endless debates. But today, I’ve got Superwomen to meet.
The sandy beaches of Gili Air. © Hannah Cocks
Google Maps directs me down a narrow, sandy path shaded by palm trees, leading to a sign for ‘Gili Shark Conservation.’ Stepping into the courtyard, I spot two women working on laptops under a shaded canopy. Small bungalows and trees frame the space, with tropical plants and rusting bicycles dotted around.
Cenna (Avicenna Wijayanto, Programme Manager of Coral Catch), looks up and waves, “Hannah!” she calls out. Next to her, Dania (Hindara Dania, Assistant Programme Manager of Coral Catch) gives a friendly smile too, rising from her laptop. They greet me with hugs, and I feel instantly at ease. The people and the space are warm, inviting, and filled with quiet purpose.
We settle into the common area, they offer me a drink, and the conversation turns to SeaVoice’s collaborations with Coral Catch. As we flick through the pages of the SeaVoice Annual, featuring their initiative, we laugh and chat like old friends.
Coral Catch isn’t your typical marine conservation organisation. They plant coral gardens, collect research data, and train people to dive, but what makes them truly unique is their emphasis on female empowerment. At the heart of their work are the Coral Catch Superwomen, an inspiring collective of women redefining what it means to protect both our oceans and the communities tied to them.
In conversation with Superwomen
We head down to the beach for interviews where I meet Sakinah (Sakinah Yusuf, Marine Conservation Program and Education Manager), and Wika (Maria Sattwika Duhita, Digital Marketing Manager), both working at Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama after completing the Superwoman programme.
As we begin the interviews, the atmosphere shifts from casual camaraderie to a sense of purpose. The Superwomen, proud of their work, radiate a subtle confidence that challenges societal expectations, yet their humility shines through as they uplift others with their words.
Hannah interviewing Dania. © Claire Hughes
“The girls that follow the programme, we call Superwomen because we believe they have something special,” Sakinah explains. “They are strong, they are very independent, and they are a girl you can rely [on].”
Dania describes a Superwoman: “[A] Superwoman is this amazing, courageous woman who pushes [herself] out of [her] comfort zone.” She stresses the importance of shifting perspectives, explaining that when locals see the women carrying tanks and working alongside the boat crew, it challenges perceptions: “It’s not just about telling people but showing them.”
Our conversations reveal the strong, ingrained perceptions of what it means to be a woman in their communities. Dania remembers wanting to jump off a bridge into the ocean as a child, only to be told, "That's not a girly thing to do." Cenna, reflecting on her early experiences working with fishermen, recalls how they would say, “'[women] don't work in the field, they can’t work in the field'”.
Now, she sees local women looking up to the Coral Catch Superwomen. “They see us… and they are always like, ‘How do you do that? I want to be like you.’” The Superwomen prove that change is possible, and by also offering swimming lessons to local women, they create opportunities that were once discouraged.
I’m inspired by the narratives that emerge from our conversations, where a strong theme of empowering others transforms what was once a small, unassuming space for women into something much larger and more visible. The Coral Catch Superwomen from previous programmes, who have been trained in coral restoration, now work all over Indonesia, spreading this hopeful message.
Redefining conservation
It's time to dive into the coral gardens and see the work the Superwomen have been doing. I sit back as they expertly manage logistics while taking the time to explain each step, making me feel at ease. We carry our gear across the sand to the waiting boat and set off. A backward roll, and we’re in the water, surrounded by the vibrant coral gardens. As Sakinah guides me, her dedication to the gardens is clear. These corals have been nurtured with care.
Sakinah works on the coral gardens. © Hannah Cocks
As the ethereal underwater light plays across the coral, I’m struck by how much is happening here beyond what meets the eye. This isn’t just conservation, it’s a quiet revolution. These Superwomen have boldly challenged rigid societal expectations of who they should be and what they should do. They’re not just redefining what’s possible for women in their communities, but also tackling the interconnected issues of biodiversity loss, climate change, and depleting oceans with both strength and compassion.
By embracing the complexity and interconnectedness of social and environmental challenges, the Coral Catch Superwomen show that environmental protection is not just a scientific endeavour but a deeply human one, rooted in empowerment and community. They’re changing perceptions, one dive at a time, and building a legacy for future generations.
“Coral Catch means empowerment,” Wika had said earlier, and seeing their work first-hand, I finally understand the weight of her words.
Impactful action
Amid the overwhelming flood of content on our screens demanding our attention, it’s easy to feel paralysed. But here, in the island heat of Gili Air, 8,000 miles from home, the Coral Catch Superwomen remind me that true impact speaks louder than words. By focusing on tangible change that addresses both environmental and social issues, they inspire hope and transformation in ways endless debates never can.
We share one last hug, Dania cycles me back to my hostel, and I say goodbye to the Superwomen. I feel a renewed sense of hope as I lock up my bike and head inside. Hope for a future where social and environmental issues are recognised as inseparable, where strength and compassion are equally valued, and where these elements complement, not compete. Hope for a world where the complexities of 'women in conservation' are recognised, and where impactful action embraces these complexities to drive lasting change.
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