Women in small-scale fisheries: support sustainability and food security for coastal populations in developing countries.

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) provide food and employment for hundreds of millions of people around the world and important opportunities to enhance household food security in developing countries. The intervention of women throughout SSF value chains makes this sector unique among other productive sectors. However, their specific roles are often undervalued and under-recognized in policy and developement agenda. This paper aims to shed light on the roles of women in small-scale fisheries and their impacts on the food security of coastal households in developing countries. We used a qualitative approach through participant observation and focus group discussions in fishing communities in seven regions of Madagascar, focusing on the priority fisheries as defined by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy. Tools such as participatory community mapping and an image box were used to encourage the participation of local stakeholders (fishermen, fisherwomen, fishers wives, fishmongers, collectors, local and regional authorities) in the research activities. A scoring approach was used to rank and scale the answers.The study revealed that women are key actors throughout the value chain of the small-scale fishing sector and for food and nutrition security in particular. However, their access to resources and markets remains limited although they are strongly represented in post-harvest activities. Women are among of the vectors of knowledge and good values to achieve sustainability through their role et the household and community levels.This active participation of women also has potential for achieving other Sustainable Development Goals.