Volume 70

Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF) in Belize: Promoting Gender Equality and Equity in Fisheries


Authors
Grant, S;N.Nembhard;R.Lamb-Lewis;P.Murray
Download PDF Open PDF in Browser

Other Information


Date: November, 2017


Pages: 73-75


Event: Proceedings of the Seventy Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Merida, Yucatan


Country: México

Abstract

The first ever Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF) in Belize, jointly organized by the Belize Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project (MCCAP) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has been a major step towards understanding the role of women in fisheries there. Geared towards promoting gender equality and equity in the allocation of resources, rights, status and responsibilities between women and men, the WIFF attracted 52 female participants representing all aspects of the fisheries value chain – fisheries management, gear/equipment services, harvesting and marketing, and processing and distribution – with the main objective of developing a Gender Action Plan to mainstream gender in the daily activities of government departments, NGOs and projects in Belize. The results of two studies, the MCCAP Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey and the Gender in Fisheries Team (GIFT) scoping survey of perspectives on Gender Equality in Caribbean Fisheries, informed group discussions on fisherfolk organizations, working conditions, fisheries management, development decision-making, formal credit for fisheries, and capacity development. We examine the discussions that highlighted women’s issues, constraints and challenges in the fisheries sector, and set out recommendations for addressing these matters in a Gender Action Plan. Further discussion of the draft plan is needed prior to finalization. While it was the first WIFF to be convened, it will not be the last; MCCAP is committed to hosting another forum in 2018. Similar forums such as this should be held in other countries to better understand gender in small-scale fisheries.

PDF Preview