Stella B. Williams - Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
Anne-Marie Hochet-Kibongui - Cultures Croisées, Paris, France
Cornelia E. Nauen - International S&T Cooperation, EC, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels June 2005

ACP – EU Fisheries Research Report Number 16

Click here to Download the report in English (PDF - 220KB), French (PDF - 238KB ), Portuguese (PDF - 246KB) and Spanish (PDF - 145KB)







Abstract

The context of massive aquatic ecosystem degradation, engendered largely by the fisheries sector with associated socio-economic challenges, and mixed signals from aquaculture, which shows high growth rates, but has some unsustainable segments, raises the question on how women in fisheries and aquaculture can contribute to the transition towards sustainability through restoration of lost productivity. Empirical evidence of women’s roles in all continents shows patterns of unrecognised, unpaid labour that clouds the economic signals of increasing resource rarefaction. Historically, women have been associated with resource conservation embedded in traditional belief systems, which have been progressively eroded. Where social recognition is achieved through e.g. enforcement of modern equal opportunity legislation – especially when combined with access to formal education and training - women regain capabilities for enhanced social organisation and leadership. This can lead to significant contributions to restoration of natural resources. A participatory method is proposed to render women’s role visible and enable development of socio-economic organisation supportive of social justice and sustainable resource use. Further reading and selected web resources are intended to further help readers to take practical follow-up action.