Asian-Pacific Aquaculture 2019

June 19 - 21, 2019

Chennai Tamil Nadu - India

MOVING BEYOND FISH-FAG: AN APPROACH TOWARDS THE ISSUES ON GENDER SENSITIZATION IN AQUACULTURE SECTOR, INDIA

Ipsita Biswas*
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Muzaffarpur (Additional)
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur Muzaffarpur-843 121, Bihar, India
ipsitabiswas24@gmail.com
 

Indian aquaculture is perceived as an emerging and andro-centric enterprise for augmenting fish production since 1990. The situation is noted as curious paradox when conceptualizing the contribution from fisher men and women. Mostly, the active role of women in fisheries remains insignificant and unreported either due to unpaid pre- and post-harvest work or due to their role as household managers. Such gender disparity creates a negative impact in livelihoods and socio-economic development of the country. The report from World Bank (1991) clearly defines that "Efforts to improve the position of Indian Women need to focus on women as economic factors". Therefore, to address the present situation and transform the mindset of people in rural India, a study was conducted at Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India involving 35 women respondents working or helping someway in fisheries sector. Data collected from all the respondents through personal interview using semi-structured schedule. Almost 91.4% respondents lack entrepreneurial ideas and perform work without financial security in-spite of their involvement in varying degrees. The lack of confidence is mainly due to their illiteracy, incompatibility to work with other male co-workers, household responsibility, etc. These prevailing conditions insights the need of an holistic approach to enable women's equitability by addressing the gap of their limitations by considering the possible ways to overcome. Hence, the future priority lies in rethinking aquaculture for fisherwomen by implementing women-friendly technologies. Further, improving their economic stability, literacy, information on advanced technology as well as on decision-making ability may enhance their capabilities and overcome the constraining factors. Therefore, to increase the positive outcome from aquaculture sector, the contributions from any fisherwomen needs to be acknowledged and remunerated.