International Journal of Aquaculture, 2013, Vol.3, No.18, 101
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(3)
Extension and training: women are seldom
included in the trainings that male counterparts have
attended. Moreover the timing and location of such
trainings have not considered women’s gender roles.
These trainings are normally conducted away from the
villages making it difficult for women to attend.
(4)
Illiteracy: women are most affected when it comes
to issues of education. Women in these groups have
little level of education than their males.
2
Discussions
Capture fisheries and aquaculture have often been
regarded male responsibilities (FAO, 2010). However,
this is contrary to study findings which have revealed
that women alongside men play important roles in fish
farming (FAO, 2011). The women are actively
involved in all activities that are carried out within the
groups. For instance, women are involved in pre-pond
preparation, pond digging-stocking-harvesting and
marketing. These undertakings by women in fish farming
are similar to what they do in crop farming (see also
FAO, 2012; Kelkar, 2001; Shelly and Costa,
2002).
The increased involvement of women to fish farming
within the groups are due to a number of reasons; one;
one, they consider capture fishery a herculean task
only possible to men, two, most of the women have
been left to care for the families in the absence of
husbands, three, small-scale fish farming requires less
labour than many other livelihood activities, and can
be carried out by female and four need to uplift their
socio-economic and generate of self-employment.
Within the groups’ women’s role have been shaped by
the changing division of labour evolving within the
society. The women seem to have social bonds and
well defined roles which have not only improved the
working of the groups but have glued the group
together despite the many challenges faced.
However, the important role played by women in
aquaculture they have been to some extent been
derailed by the land tenure systems which gives
ownership rights to males, inaccessibility to credit and
savings services and facilities, low level of literacy
and inadequate technical knowledge on pond
management. These challenges are not unique to
women within this group but experienced world over
where women have been involved in fish farming see
also Butt et al. (2010). This calls for special attention
for more women to be involved in training meetings
where they can fully increase their understanding on
fish farming as greater benefits can be gained by
having more women extension agents. This would
help to overcome and eliminate some of the barriers
inhibiting many women from taking up fish farming
(
FAO, 2012). There remains a need therefore to
improve women in aquaculture production to involve
more women in the extension and training processes
where direct communication is necessary. This will
lead to realization of their full potential in aquaculture
resulting into enhanced productivity.
3
Conclusions
Women play an important role in the fish farming
within the two groups. This role encompasses social
and economic activities and duties, both within and
outside the group. Development of aquaculture within
the groups has clearly shown that sustained
improvements in productivity depend upon the
recognition of the crucial role women play in fish
farming. To accelerate development it is vital that
development initiatives programs by government
develop and implement effective affirmative action for
women that promote realization of the potential they
possess.
4
Materials and Methods
This paper is based on study carried out in Ukerewe
district, Tanzania from 5
th
to 30
th
November 2012 to
establish the nature and level of women involvement
in fish farming. The data were collected during field
research using interviews and participant observation.
In total 25 formal interviews, including 4 focused
group discussions were conducted. The sample
included two fish farming groups comprising 27
members of which 14 were women. Information
generated was analyzed using content analysis of
respondents’. Secondary information was also sought
from available published and unpublished literatures
Acknowledgements
I wish to acknowledge the local village government authority for the
permission to conduct the study. The financial support provided by the FHP
is also appreciated. Special appreciation also goes to the fish farming group
members who took their times off the many activities to participate in the
study.
References
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