Meet the Zambian women changing the frontiers of aquaculture

Unlike past times when women and aquaculture were deemed incompatible, women are now gradually breaking barriers and taking on the male dominated sector. Women are now integral to the aquatic foods sector, contributing to the economic wellbeing of both society and their communities.

Not only is aquaculture transforming the lives of women, it is also beginning to break the cultural norms and traditional barriers that have long restricted women to household duties and men to more physical work. These norms in a way have perpetuated persistent poverty levels, especially in rural communities where most households have had men as sole providers.

Eliminating inequalities and promoting gender equity in the aquaculture and fisheries sector can thus lead to the reduction of malnutrition and improvement of food and nutrition security. However, the voices of African women and their vast contributions to the sector are often underacknowledged and sometimes completely unrecognized.