ROLE OF WOMEN IN FISHERIES

BY

Md. Ali HassanII-M.F.Sc.

Dept. of Fisheries Extension

2006

INTRODUCTION

• The fisheries sector occupies a very important place in the socio economic development of India.

• The sector has been recognized as a powerful income and employment generator for mural fisherfolk.

• It stimulates growth of a number of subsidiary industries and in a source of cheap and nutritious food.

• It is instrument for livelihood of large section of economically backward population of the country.

• More than 6.0 million fishermen and fish farmer in the country.

• The fisheries sector is the major contributor in foreign exchange earning.

In general, women involved in fisheries activities

Role of women in fisheries

Fish processing industries

Fish preservation

Fish marketing

Coastal aquaculture

Freshwater aquaculture

HatcheryManagement

ROLE OF WOMEN IN FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE

Pond preparation Stocking of seeds Pond fertilization Harvesting Hatchery management Stitching and washing hapa Transferring fish eggs and seeds Packing fish seed for transportation etc.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN FRESH WATER AQUACULTURE

Composite fish culture

Integrated fish farming

Freshwater prawn culture

Ornamental fish culture

Aquarium fish breeding

Backyard hatchery management for fish

Backyard hatchery management for prawn

PROCESSING PLANT AND EMPLOYEE IN BRIEF

378 seafood processing plants

1,237 seafood exporter

Provide employment to over 35,000 works

Male, female ratio of 3:10

Women constitute 75%

Most of them are aged 21 – 30

ROLE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN COASTAL AQUACULTURE

Labour in pond construction Collection of prawn and fish seed Management of small pond Collection of land snails for feeding prawn Culture of seaweed Live food culture Nucleus implantation in pearl oyster culture Crab and lobster fattening Sorting and transportation of seeds.

ROLE OF WOMEN IN SEAFOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

Grading and sorting of shellfish and finfish.

Peeling and cleaning of shellfish and finfish.

Weighing of fish and shrimp.

Arrangement of fish and shrimp in plates.

Freezing

Packing

Labeling

Storing etc.

VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS WHICH CAN BE PREPARED BY WOMEN AT HOME AND IN

SMALL – SCALE INDUSTRIES

Fish / prawn pickle Fish cutlet Fish balls Fish papad Masmin Shark fin ray Masala dried fish Fish soup powder etc.

WOMEN IN FISH MARKETING AND TRADING

Home to home sale

Licensed market

Unlicensed market / hawking

Auctioning in landing center

Road side sale

Beach side sale

WOMEN IN FISHEIRES RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Fisheries Department

Research institutes and colleges

New areas in genetics and biotechnology

Eradication of biasness and reservation

Providing training facilities

Increasing the age for recruitment of women

Financial support

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN FISHERIES

The process of

Awareness and capacity building

Greater participation,

Greater decision making power

Control for transformative action.

WOMEN ENPOWERMENT FRAMEWORK

Con

trol

Decision

MakingWelfare

AwarenessParticipation

Empowerment

Access

CONSTRAINTS IN GENDER DEVELOPMENT

Illiteracy

Ignorance

Conservative nature

Superstition

Poverty

Organization supports

IMPLICATION FOR WOMEN

Increased productivity

Reduced work hours

Extra income generation

Replacement of the female labour force

Factors affecting for women to obtain relevant skills

Training

PROBLEM FOR WOMEN IN FISHERIES

Illiteracy

Employment status

Health

Impact of technology

Social problems

Family problems

CONSTRAINTS

Administrative support

Training

Living condition

Service incentives

Financial Support

Decision making

Heavy work load

Low paid

CONCLUSION It is important to accelerate the development initiatives

for women in fisheries. To achieve gender equity, changes have to be brought in

several levels in fisheries and allied activities. The Government and its development partners need to

re-orient their programs and implement for women effectively.

Various developmental organizations like AFS, ICLARM and FAO of the United Nation are taking initiative for development and empowerment of women in fisheries sector.