LocationsFrom St. Katherine to Nabq: How Selima is Empowering Women in Nabq
May 22, 2026
Across the mountains of St. Katherine to the coastal landscapes of Nabq Protected Area, the stories of Bedouin communities are deeply connected to nature, culture, and resilience.
In the early mornings of St. Katherine, Selima learned the rhythms of her community; where tradition is not only preserved but lived every day.
Years later, those same traditions are traveling with her across mountains and into the coastal community of Nabq; where she is now helping other women in Nabq to build new opportunities from their heritage.
Like many Bedouin women, Selima navigated limited access to economic opportunities and social expectations that often confined women’s roles. Yet she held onto one constant; her knowledge of traditional handicrafts, passed down through generations.
What began as inherited cultural knowledge has today become part of a broader effort linking community empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation across South Sinai. In protected areas such as Nabq, local communities are not separate from conservation efforts — they are essential partners in protecting fragile ecosystems and preserving traditional ecological knowledge that has shaped these landscapes for generations.
With support from a European Union-funded initiative, Selima began leading training activities that helped women strengthen their handicraft skills and generate income while preserving their cultural identity. Today, through the support of the Green Sharm Project, the Al-Gharqana Community and Environmental Development Association was established in early 2025 and now serves as the official and sole NGO representing the residents of Al Gharqana village within Nabq Protected Area, South Sinai, and is formally registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
The association serves as a platform representing the local Bedouin community including fishermen and artisans- ensuring their voices are reflected in development and natural resource management.
The association acts as a key link between the community and Nabq Protected Area management, facilitating project planning, supporting implementation, and ensuring that all environmental and development interventions are aligned with local needs and the area’s ecological sensitivity.
Through handicrafts, environmental awareness activities, and community participation, local residents are becoming active partners in protecting the biodiversity, coastal landscapes, and traditional ecological knowledge of Nabq Protected Area. By strengthening sustainable livelihood opportunities, these efforts also help reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems and support more community-led stewardship of natural resources.
This reflects a Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) approach, where conservation and community wellbeing are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. The initiative also focuses on capacity building, women and youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihood development, while preserving the cultural and social identity of the community.
It also focuses on capacity building, women and youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihood development, while preserving the cultural and social identity of the community.
Selima is sharing her experience with 30 women in Al-Gharqana village in Nabq Protected Area through the association, helping them develop cultural handicrafts and strengthen the community's economic opportunities.
By transferring knowledge and skills between Bedouin communities, Selima’s story demonstrates how local leadership, culture, and community collaboration can open new pathways for women and youth. Her journey also highlights how empowering local communities can directly contribute to protecting nature and sustaining biodiversity for future generations.
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