How to ensure gender equality in fish farming is a question every feminist is asking considering the fact that aquaculture is taking over the world. The aquaculture and fisheries sector is a critical contributor to global food security, livelihoods, and economic growth.
In 2022, this industry employed approximately 61.8 million people, with women comprising 24% of the workforce in primary production and a dominant 62% in post-harvest roles. However, women often face gender-based disparities in wages, recognition, and access to resources. Addressing these inequalities is vital for sustainable aquaculture and improved livelihoods.
This post explores actionable strategies to ensure gender equality in fish farming, leveraging insights from FAO’s The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024.
1. Recognizing Women’s Role in Fish Farming
Key Statistics Highlighting Gender Inequality
Workforce Representation: Women comprise 24% of the fisheries and aquaculture workforce but dominate the post-harvest sector. This means that women are not highly engaged at the production stage. They are mostly engaged at the post-harvesting stage or value addition stage.
Income Disparities: Gender wage gaps persist, with women often earning less for equivalent roles. This is mostly influenced by the myth that men take responsibility for providing for the family, including the women. This is especially popular in Africa. But what people do not realize is that it is sometimes the opposite.
Underrepresentation in Leadership: Women are rarely involved in decision-making roles within the sector, especially in small-scale and commercial fisheries.
Why Recognition Matters
Women play a vital role in aquaculture, from processing and distribution to on-farm activities. Acknowledging their contributions not only ensures fairness but also boosts productivity and innovation within the sector. Also, women keep home and therefore always with the kids. An empowerment given to them would go a long way to affect the entire family. This is what there is a popular maxim “If you educate a man, you educate one person but if you educate a woman, you educate the entire nation”
2. Addressing Barriers to Gender Equality
1. Limited Access to Resources
Women in fish farming often lack access to essential resources like capital, land, and equipment. This is very popular in Africa, where land ownership and other resources belong to men. This limitation restricts their ability to scale operations or adopt innovative technologies.
2. Discrimination and Social Norms
Traditional societal norms often prioritize men in leadership and technical roles, leaving women to perform lower-paying or informal tasks. Do you ever hear the saying, “Women belong to the kitchen?” If not, come to Africa, and you will hear this several times. Such discrimination must be stopped so women can realize their full potential in aquaculture and fish farming.
3. Knowledge and Training Gaps
Access to technical training and capacity-building programs is often skewed towards men, excluding women from acquiring the skills needed to thrive in fish farming.
When you visit most of our communities, especially our rural communities, only boys are even allowed to go to school to Tertiary. Most girls are given out to marry after Senior High School. This contributes to the vast knowledge gap.
3. Strategies to Promote Gender Equality in Fish Farming
1. Gender-Sensitive Policies and Legislation
Governments and stakeholders must establish policies that ensure equal access to resources, decision-making, and employment opportunities. Examples include: Enforcing gender quotas for leadership roles in fisheries cooperatives. This will ensure gender equality in fish farming
Mandating equal pay for equal work. There is no point paying women lesser than men for the same work done. The government must ensure equal wages and salaries to women provided the work is done. In this case, there should be no discrimination.
2. Empowering Women through Education and Training
Offering targeted training programs equips women with the technical skills and knowledge needed to excel in fish farming. Initiatives can include:
- Aquaculture workshops tailored for women. For example, Faako Aquaponics in collaboration with MasterCard is organizing an educational program to educate the youth of Ghana in fish farming where women are the priority.
- Capacity-building programs on sustainable farming practices and business management.
3. Improving Access to Credit and Resources
Women need financial inclusion to thrive in aquaculture. Microfinance programs and grants tailored for women can provide the capital required to purchase equipment, expand operations, and adopt modern technologies.
One funny thing is that women are able to manage fewer resources than men per my experience. When you give a little money to women to invest, they perform better. To answer the question of how to ensure gender equality in fish farming, credit facilities should be available to women in aquaculture.
According to the Ghana Fisheries Commission, In Ghana, it is estimated that the participation rate of women in the fisheries sector is about 40 percent, with the majority in the post-harvest sector. Women also play vital roles in financing fishing operations, especially in the marine sector partly due to lack of access to financial support from other channels such as bank loans.
4. Strengthening Women’s Networks and Cooperatives
Creating or supporting women-led aquaculture cooperatives fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective bargaining power. These networks can also advocate for policy changes and greater inclusion in decision-making processes. Cooperatives and Associations should be formed in various regions to strengthen and empower women in aquaculture. This will enhance how to ensure gender equality in fish farming.
4. Leveraging Technology for Gender Equality
1. Digital Inclusion
We are in the digital world now so digital tools and mobile applications can bridge the knowledge gap, providing women with access to markets, training resources, and weather updates.
For example, apps for fish farming management can help women monitor pond conditions and optimize feeding schedules.
2. Innovative Equipment for Work Efficiency
Technological advancements like Automatic Feeders, Aeration Systems, and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) can make a difference for women in fish farming and therefore bridge the gap of gender inequality.
5. Case Studies: Successful Gender-Inclusive Initiatives
1. Women in Aquaculture in Africa
In regions like Africa, women constitute a significantly low portion of the aquaculture workforce because of a lack of access to resources. Targeted interventions, such as training programs and microloans, have enabled women to expand their fish farming operations. Read more
2. Post-Harvest Empowerment in Asia
Asia leads in aquaculture production, with women playing a dominant role in post-harvest activities. Initiatives promoting improved processing methods and access to markets have enhanced incomes and livelihoods for women in this sector.
6. Benefits of Gender Equality in Fish Farming
1. Economic Growth
Empowering women boosts productivity and profitability. When women gain access to the same resources as men, overall sector performance improves.
2. Enhanced Sustainability
Studies indicate that gender-diverse teams are more likely to adopt sustainable practices, ensuring the long-term viability of fish farming operations.
3. Community Development
When women earn more, they reinvest in their families and communities, improving overall social well-being.
7. Measuring Progress Toward Gender Equality
1. Collecting Gender-Disaggregated Data
Governments and organizations should prioritize collecting data on women’s participation and contributions to aquaculture. Keeping accurate data can inform targeted policies and programs.
2. Monitoring and Evaluation
Establishing benchmarks and tracking progress ensures accountability and highlights areas for improvement. After the government establishes policies and programs for women in aquaculture, there should be evaluation and monitoring to ensure that such policies are effective. Otherwise, amendments can be made to those policies and programs if progress is not making. So without monitoring and evaluation, you can’t determine that.
8. Call to Action for Stakeholders
Achieving gender equality in fish farming requires the combined efforts of governments, industry stakeholders, and local communities.
By implementing inclusive policies, providing resources, and celebrating women’s contributions, we can ensure a more equitable and sustainable aquaculture sector.
Final Thoughts
Gender equality in fish farming is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for sustainable development.
As highlighted by FAO’s statistics, bridging the gender gap will enhance productivity, sustainability, and community well-being.
Let’s act now to empower women in aquaculture and secure a brighter future for all.
