COVID-19 Experiences of Women Fish Processors and Traders in Africa: Insights from transdisciplinary research
The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying responses to mitigate this health crisis worldwide, have resulted in substantial demand, production, distribution and labour disruptions in the fishery sector. These disruptions have severely impacted women processors and traders, who play a significant role in the post-harvest fisheries sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, the research and data emerging on COVID have continued to lack gender responsiveness, often overlooking how COVID-19 and measures have exacerbated pre-existing gender barriers and gaps. This conference session highlights an innovative research response to the shock and gender-blindness in data;through collaboration of a pan-African women’s network (AWFISNET), a non-profit communications organization (On Our Radar), a university (Lancaster) and a CGIAR Centre (WorldFish). The work spans insights from women in West, Central, Southern and East Africa: Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Togo, Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Uganda.
Moderator/organisers:
Cynthia McDougall, WorldFish
Panelists:
- Cynthia McDougall, WorldFish
- Eastina Marian Boimadi Taylor, On Our Radar
- Editrudith Lukanga, Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization (EMEDO) and African Women Fish Traders and Processors Network (AWFishNet)
- Libby Drew, On Our Radar
- Molly Atkins, University of Birmingham, UK
- Philippa Cohen, WorldFish and James Cook University, Australia