Naw Ruth, a dive instructor from the Karen community on Havelock Island (known locally as Swaraj Dweep) in the Andaman Islands, is opening up opportunities for women interested in diving in India. Growing up in a community that depended on fishing and agriculture, Ruth developed a deep connection to the sea—a connection that would ultimately steer her career. Living in a traditionally male-dominated space, Ruth has become the first woman dive instructor from her community, challenging gender norms and inspiring a new generation of Karen women to explore careers tied to the ocean.
The Karen people, originally from Myanmar, migrated to the Andaman Islands nearly a century ago, adapting to island life and preserving their unique cultural heritage. Ruth’s diving journey began in 2016 when she was encouraged to try scuba once by her mother, and her older male cousin took her for the first time. That’s when her eyes were open to the endless possibilities the sea could bring to not only her life, but others. For her, it was impossible to ignore rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching impacting the marine ecosystems around Havelock. So Ruth decided to build up her skills as a diver, see what was sitting right below the surface of her home island, and start to bring people closer to conservation in a country that isn’t often known for its efforts in this area.
Joining the team at DIVEIndia, Ruth found a supportive community that encouraged her professional growth and embraced her as family. Her path to dive instructor wasn’t without challenges; as one of the few women in diving on the island, she initially felt isolated and out of her depth. But over time, the camaraderie and encouragement from her team transformed her experience, allowing her to come into her own. Certified as a dive instructor and recently appointed as a Scuba Schools International (SSI) ambassador, Ruth not only guides divers but also serves as a steward of Havelock’s fragile marine ecosystems, showing others the importance of environmental respect through global and wide-reaching channels.
Ruth’s mission is equally about teaching scuba skills as it is about fostering a lasting connection between her community and the ocean. She envisions a future where more women in her community feel empowered to engage with the sea, pushing past traditional standards and exploring new professional horizons. Her influence has already sparked interest among young women in the Karen community, who are inspired by her journey and eager to follow in her footsteps.
Her vision is clear: to inspire others to take an active role in preserving the marine environment and to make scuba diving accessible for all. When asked for advice by new divers or women who are nervous to get started, her message is simple and direct: “Get in the water and come see it for yourself!” For Ruth, connecting people to the sea is essential to building a future where her community, and the environment they depend on, can co-exist together.
