When Women Fishers Weave Hope Through Ecoprint

Along the coastline of Laha Village in Ambon City, the waves has always been an inseparable part of daily life. The sea provides livelihoods for the community, yet it also brings uncertainty. When adverse weather prevents fishers from going to sea, household income comes to a standstill. For many women in fishing households, this has long been a reality they have had to endure.

From the shores of Laha, Maluku, to Indonesia and beyond, the Mahina Laha Group continues to expand its ecoprint batik enterprise through the support of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia. The initiative has enabled women fishers to create environmentally friendly products that generate economic value .

Rather than waiting for change to happen, a group of women in Laha Village chose to create it themselves.

They established the Mahina Laha Coastal Women's Group, which has since become one of Maluku's inspiring examples of women's empowerment in sustainable fisheries management.

The journey of change began in August 2024, when the Global Environment Facility-6 (GEF-6) Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia, through its The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Eastern Indonesia within Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 715, 717, and 718 project, facilitated ecoprint batik training for coastal women from Laha, Tawiri, and Batumerah.

The journey of the Mahina Laha Group began with the ecoprint batik training organized by GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia in August 2024. Using leaves and flowers collected from the surrounding coastal environment, they created new economic opportunities for their families and communities.

Over the course of three days, participants learned how to transform leaves, flowers, and locally available plants into natural textile patterns. For most of them, ecoprint was an entirely new experience. More than simply learning an environmentally friendly textile-printing technique, they discovered an opportunity to utilize natural resources sustainably while creating an alternative source of income for fishing households.

From this modest training emerged a shared belief that coastal women are capable of producing products with economic value without leaving behind their roles as caregivers for their families and stewards of nature.

Through GEF-6 CFI Indonesia continuous mentoring, Mahina Laha has evolved beyond being merely a beneficiary group. They have grown into a collectively managed community business group. Leaves that were once simply part of the coastal landscape have now been transformed into shawls, silk scarves, tote bags, hats, and ecoprint fabrics, each featuring distinctive patterns that can never be exactly replicated.

Continuous support from GEF-6 CFI Indonesia through Safeguards monitoring and evaluation, as well as Gender Mainstreaming activities, has ensured that the Mahina Laha Group continues to grow in an inclusive manner, strengthens the capacity of women fishers, and advances the development of a sustainable ecoprint batik enterprise. (29 July 2026)

Every leaf leaves a different imprint, and every piece of fabric becomes an exclusive work of art that tells the story of Maluku's rich natural heritage and a powerful message: beauty can be created without harming the environment.

Yet their journey has not always been easy.

According to Sintawati, Champion of Mahina Laha, the greatest challenge was building a cohesive group.

“The journey of Mahina Ecoprint Laha to reach where we are today has not been easy. We have shared moments of joy as well as hardship. We learned to unite our vision and mission despite our different perspectives, faced limitations in raw materials, and managed production with modest facilities. Thankfully, over time, we have been able to overcome every challenge together.”

Today, the results of these efforts are now beginning to benefit all group members.

“We are proud and feel increasingly empowered. We used to be beneficiaries, but now we have grown into producers. We are grateful to GEF-6 CFI Indonesia for providing us with knowledge, practical experience, and ecoprint skills. This training has truly created added value for us while opening opportunities for us to move to the next level.”

This spirit is reflected in the group's steadily increasing production. As of mid-2026, Mahina Laha had produced hundreds of pieces of ecoprint fabric, dozens of silk scarves, more than one hundred tote bags, ecoprint hats, and had also begun developing ecoprint outerwear as its next flagship product.

Their innovation has also expanded into fishery product processing. Through product diversification training facilitated by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, the group now produces fish bagea (traditional sago biscuits), fish sticks, and shredded fish (abon ikan) as additional sources of income for fishing households. This business diversification has become an important strategy for strengthening household livelihoods so that they are not entirely dependent on income from marine capture fisheries.

The results are becoming increasingly evident. Between January and June 2026, Mahina Laha generated more than IDR 29 million in sales from ecoprint products, processed fishery products, and training services, which are now attracting growing interest from various institutions.

From a single piece of fabric, meaningful change has emerged. Through the support provided by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, the women fishers of Mahina Laha have demonstrated that every ecoprint batik motif is more than a handcrafted product—it is a symbol of their commitment to nature and their hope for a better future. A shift in mindset, a commitment to continuous learning, and the power of collaboration have enabled Mahina Laha to grow into an increasingly empowered and inspiring women fishers' group. After all, every significant transformation begins with small steps taken together.

For Maliha The, Chair of the Mahina Laha Group, however, their success cannot be measured solely by the value of their sales.

“For us, every piece of fabric is more than a handicraft product—it is an expression of our love for and respect toward nature. By utilizing natural materials sourced from our surrounding environment, we are committed to producing environmentally friendly and ethically made ecoprint products while making a tangible contribution to environmental sustainability.”

According to her, Mahina Laha would never have reached this stage without strong collaboration.

“We are deeply grateful to have built partnerships with many stakeholders, one of them being Batik Manise Maluku B'Gaya by Efie. This partnership has not only expanded our market access but has also created exceptional learning opportunities for our group members. Through ecoprint, we have demonstrated that women can be empowered, achieve economic independence, and strengthen one another. This collaboration has further reinforced Mahina Laha's journey toward becoming an independent, resilient, and sustainable community enterprise.”

The most significant transformation is reflected not only in the products they create but also in the women themselves. Members who once participated only as trainees are now trusted to serve as instructors, speak before public audiences, and inspire other communities.

Mahina Laha has delivered training for the Dharma Wanita Persatuan of BPPP Ambon, the Dharma Wanita of SUPM Ambon, and children from an art studio fostered by the wife of the Regent of Buru. Those who once sat in the classroom as participants now stand at the front as resource persons and trainers.

Mahina Laha on Air. On 26 May 2026, Mahina Laha Chairperson Malihia The, together with Mahina Laha Champion Sintawati, appeared as guest speakers on the Paparisa Papalele programme on RRI Pro 4 Ambon under the theme “From the Coast to the Global Stage: Maluku Women's Creations for the World.” During the broadcast, they shared the story of the transformation of women from small-scale fishing communities through ecoprint batik, supported by the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia Project, while promoting the development of a sustainable creative economy based on coastal resources.

Recognition from various institutions has continued to grow. The group welcomed a visit from the BCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, opening new opportunities for partnership; received organizational capacity development support from students participating in the Djarum Foundation's Beswan scholarship programme; served as a learning site for the Monitoring and Evaluation Team of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries; and was invited as a featured guest on the RRI Pro 4 Ambon podcast entitled "From the Coast to the Global Stage: Maluku Women's Creations for the World."

In terms of market development, Mahina Laha products are now available at various souvenir outlets and modern retail stores in Ambon, including Baileo Outlet at Pattimura Airport, Fully Souvenir at Hotel Santika, Santos, and The Ambon Manise Shop. Support from Bank BNI through the establishment of the group's bank account and the provision of QRIS services has also strengthened the group's business management, enabling it to operate in an increasingly professional manner.

On 21 July 2026, the “Mahina Ecoprint” brand officially received a Trademark Certificate from the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia through intellectual property registration (HAKI). The trademark protection provides legal recognition of the identity of ecoprint batik products created by the women fishers of Mahina Laha, while strengthening their competitiveness, market confidence, and the sustainability of the enterprise supported by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia.

The support provided by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia extends beyond strengthening production capacity and expanding market access. Mahina Laha has also been assisted in reinforcing the legal foundation of its business. These efforts culminated on 21 July 2026 with the official issuance of the "Mahina Ecoprint" Trademark Certificate by the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. The granting of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) marks an important milestone, providing legal protection while reinforcing Mahina Laha's identity as a competitive creative product developed by coastal women in Maluku.

Confidence in the quality of their products has now reached the international stage. In November 2026, Mahina Laha's ecoprint batik products are scheduled to be included as part of the seminar kit for the 11th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC11) to be held in Bali. The conference will bring together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and development partners from around the world, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase the work of Maluku's coastal women to the world while demonstrating that community empowerment can go hand in hand with coastal ecosystem conservation.

Mahina Laha's ecoprint batik has also elevated the profile of Laha Tourism Village at the national level. Through innovation and the empowerment of women fishers supported by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, Laha Tourism Village received the 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) as one of Indonesia's leading tourism villages. Maliha The, Chair of Mahina Laha, accepted the award on behalf of Laha Village, symbolizing the success of collaboration among cultural preservation, creative economy development, and coastal community improvement.

Mahina Laha's journey has become an integral part of the transformation of Laha Tourism Village. In 2024, the village was recognized through the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) as one of the country's best tourism villages. Today, ecoprint products have become a distinctive identity of the village, blending natural beauty, local culture, and a community-based creative economy.

These achievements demonstrate that community empowerment goes far beyond training alone. Sustainable results are achieved when communities receive continuous mentoring, improved market access, strengthened business capacities, legal support, partnership networks, and opportunities to continue learning while showcasing their achievements at both national and international levels.

Today, Mahina Laha is recognized not merely as a group of ecoprint artisans. It has become a symbol of how coastal women can drive transformative change when they are given opportunities to learn, innovate, and collaborate.

Their story demonstrates that conservation does not always begin with protected areas or sophisticated technologies. Meaningful change can emerge from a family's backyard, from leaves that were once overlooked, and evolve into products of economic value that improve household livelihoods while conserving nature. This reflects the vision promoted by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia through the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)—that sustainable ecosystems and the well-being of coastal communities must advance together.

From a small coastal village in Ambon, the women of Mahina Laha are now sending a powerful message to the world: when women are empowered, what grows is not merely a business, but renewed hope for families, communities, and the future of Indonesia's seas. Their journey demonstrates that simple actions can generate transformative change, ultimately bringing products born from the coast of Laha onto the global stage.