Vegetos

Abstract

In the last few decades fisheries and aquaculture have contributed much to improvement of livelihood of thousands of people in the coastal regions of India. Women not only constitute half of the population but also play an important role in wide range of fisheries activities. In the coastal states women contribute significantly in sorting, handling, processing, preserving, selling and even marketing of fishes and other aquaculture species. This has helped them in uplifting their socio- economic status and has provided them a prominent place in the fisheries sector. But unlike many other countries, where women have remain unaffected by gender bias and imbalances and have established themselves as entrepreneurs or boat owners, the fisherwomen in India have to face many challenges. Women from fishing communities in India, who work as wage earners in fishing industries are paid less as compared to their male counterparts. The longer working hours makes it difficult for them to fulfill their other domestic roles. There is an urgent need for active government programmes, professional trainings, SHGs, cooperative societies and developing databases for strengthening the women and their participation in fisheries sector. The paper gives an overview of need for women empowerment in fisheries, their role and importance, challenges and solutions.