TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement Introduction General ...

Involvement of Women in Small-Scale
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in Asia. However, the vital role of
women in aquaculture growth has not been adequately recognized. Many issues
remain inadequately addressed. To ensure sustainability, it is necessary to understand
issues related to both men and women and develop gender-sensitive interventions.
Women and aquaculture
An ethnic women’s group organized by
CARITAS Bangladesh (with 18 members) in
Pagalpara, Mymensingh district, has been
practicing aquaculture successfully for the last
five years. All aquaculture-related activities such
as the excavation of four ponds, stocking,
harvesting and marketing are done by the
women themselves. Hatchery and market
accessibility contributed to their success. The
group makes an average profit of
US$49/member/year in a pond area of 0.34 ha.
Though there are no strictly assigned genderspecific
roles in aquaculture, work that involves
heavy labor such as pond digging and
harvesting is led by men. Women, on the other hand, lead activities such
as stocking, feeding, fertilization and routine caring of pond. These roles
interchange in different cultures and family environments.
Traditionally, women have been involved in different stages of small-scale
aquaculture. They are active caretakers of fish in homestead ponds, cages or even
in rice fields. The role of women has been especially prominent when the systems are
located close to their homesteads. Restricted mobility, due to religion or security
concerns, is a reality that must be considered.