Women's Empowerment through Fishpond Husbandry
Background
Fisheries constitute one of the most important resources of East Africa with an incredibly high yearly production value. The fisheries sector provides a direct or indirect livelihood to approximately 7 million people and is a source of food to many more both within and outside the lake basin. Lake Victoria is seeing a dramatic fall in the production value of fish. Furthermore, unsustainable fishing methods are causing the near extinction of valuable bait fish. Most women in Suba's fishing industry are not in control of businesses and are left with only the fishing discards resulting in a very low income. Some women are also forced to participate in promiscuous activities to ensure food and survival for their families.
Aims and objectives
Building on an existing project in the area; Rich Fisheries, Poor Fisherfolk, Africa Now is helping to create a financial niche for women fisherfolk allowing them to take control of their own financial lives. The project aims to increase the level of economic benefit of women fishers through the creation of economic enterprises in the fishing industry which also addresses some of the causes of natural resource/biodiversity degradation and relieving fisheries pressure on Lake Victoria. The creation of independent bait rearing ponds allows women to not only implement sustainable fishing practices but also helps to ensure the stock of fish does not decline and continues to support Suba's fishing communities for many years to come. The independent bait rearing ponds provide a more stable source of income to the women improving their household income alleviating poverty.
Activities
- Consultative forums with partners and stakeholders which would identify breeding areas, existing fish ponds & farmers and fish traders.
- Development of linkages between women clarias farmers and Nile perch fishermen; Africa Now will facilitate workshops between the fish farmers and Nile perch fishermen assisting in the development of direct marketing channels.
- Credit mechanisms will be used which enables the farmers to acquire pond facilities through small peer based groups. Loans would be repaid through the sale of fish with an established buyer through an agreed partnership.
- Community mobilization and sensitization; meetings will be held at community level educating the fishing communities on the benefits of conserving the Lake and breeding grounds. They would also address the use of illegal fishing gear, dangerous methods of fishing and the importance of protecting fish breeding sites. The meetings would also be geared towards developing community self-policing through lobbying and advocacy.
- Workshops held with different stakeholders building capacity in natural resource management, fish pond husbandry, enterprise development, financial product development, linkage workshop and leadership and governance.
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For more information on the original Suba project, please view the Rich Fisheries, Poor Fisherfolk page.