Dorcas Rottok leads a transformative movement that weaves climate action, gender equality, and educational advancement through her organization, Ocean Cause Kenya. Nestled in the heart of VOK, Mombasa, she embarks on a range of initiatives that champion environmental conservation and community empowerment, underscoring the pivotal role of women in driving sustainable development.
The organization actively engages in beach clean-ups and awareness walks, highlighting the pressing need for action against environmental degradation.
She is mainly dedicated to women’s empowerment in Mombasa and throughout the country. Through Ocean Cause Kenya, she spearheads several programs that aim to inspire women to achieve economic self-sufficiency and explore non-traditional avenues for income. One standout initiative educates women about the economic opportunities that can be harnessed by upcycling waste into value. She provides training on transforming plastic and coconut waste into marketable products like decorative items. The organization enables women to earn a living and recognizes their potential and contribution to environmental sustainability, thereby empowering them.
Emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach involving the private sector and the government to achieve effective environmental conservation, she envisions a system where private sector organizations, such as the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), work in tandem with the county government of Mombasa to provide more awareness and incentives to women in waste management. This vision is not just about Dorcas Rottok or Ocean Cause Kenya, but it’s about all of us, the private sector, the government, and the community, coming together to establish robust recycling and waste management policies and to create a sustainable future for all.
One of her proposed initiatives is the creation of collection points by producers of plastic products. These collection points would allow customers to return used plastic bottles in exchange for a monetary incentive, promoting recycling and reducing plastic waste. Such a policy could significantly enhance the recycling infrastructure and encourage responsible consumption throughout Kenya while at the same time adding value to women involved in the initiative.
Dorcas encourages women to adopt sustainable habits, such as waste segregation, as they can greatly influence their families and communities. As the primary caregivers, women can instill environmental consciousness in their children and spouses, creating a ripple effect beyond their immediate households to the communities. Dorcas shares these practices with her colleagues, promoting sustainability at work and contributing to a broader cultural shift towards environmental responsibility.
Dorcas Rottok’s work with Ocean Cause Kenya is a living example of the transformative power of women-led initiatives in driving climate action and community development. Her focus on environmental conservation, education, and women’s empowerment is not just impacting VOK and the broader Mombasa county. It’s reshaping the landscape of these areas.
Her vision for a collaborative approach involving the private sector and the government promises a sustainable future where people and the planet can thrive. Through her unwavering commitment and innovative programs, Dorcas is empowering women to not just participate in being part of the solution but also to lead in creating a more sustainable world.
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