Dataset / Tabular

Empowering Women in Small-Scale Fisheries for Sustainable Food Systems 2020-2021 (Malawi)

author(s) Nicole Franz (Food and Agriculture Organization ) - Lena Westlund (Food and Agriculture Organization ) - Molly Ahern (Food and Agriculture Organization )
from World Bank Group (WB)
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themes
regions
  • Eastern Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
  • World
  • Western Africa
  • Western Asia
  • Asia
citation

Nicole Franz (Food and Agriculture Organization ); Lena Westlund (Food and Agriculture Organization ); Molly Ahern (Food and Agriculture Organization ), 'Empowering Women in Small-Scale Fisheries for Sustainable Food Systems 2020-2021 (Malawi)', 2023

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

To support sustainable fish food systems and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) provided funding to the FAO to support initial project activities in five countries (Sierra Leone, Malawi, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania) with a focus on strengthening women's roles in the small-scale fisheries post-harvest sector. The project conducted a baseline survey as well as a needs assessment and mapping of women's organizations. Three surveys were developed to capture information from various stakeholders:

- Individual/Household level: The baseline study conducted for this project included individual intercept surveys targeting women as actors in small-scale fisheries value chains. The purpose of the survey was to understand both the individual respondent (i.e., the woman) and her household's involvement in fisheries, how they acquire and consume fish, their experiences of food security and dietary practices, and participation in fisheries governance and organizations. Approxtaimely 300 women were surveyed per country. This study was conducted for baseline monitoring and evaluation of the project “Empowering women in small-scale fisheries for sustainable food systems”.

- Focus group discussions: Focus group discussions were held in each landing site alongside data collection using other survey instruments. The purpose of the focus group discussions was to elicit qualitative data reflecting the opinions of women from the same fish landing sites on key issues affecting their work, status, and roles in the sector. This included their opinions of discrimination or harassment against women, their voice in decision-making and ability to influence fisheries governance, changes in gender relations over time, and their access to training, facilities, and assets needed to conduct their fisheries activities. This study was conducted for baseline monitoring and evaluation of the project “Empowering women in small-scale fisheries for sustainable food systems”.

- Individuals (with policy-level influence in the small-scale fishing sector): The baseline study conducted for this project included key informant interviews with those in policy, programme, or other similar levels of sector influence (e.g., Policy Makers, Government, Projects, Programmes working on social and health interventions in fishing communities). The purpose of the key informant interviews was to understand the opinion of respondents on local the diet and eating patterns of the community, women's empowerment, facilities they believe exist at or are in place and serve fish workers. In addition, the questions sought to gain an understanding of what is already known at decision-making levels of the FAO SSF Guidelines and knowledge of fishing community's capacity building needs and how learning and technological change occurs. This study was conducted for baseline monitoring and evaluation of the project "Empowering women in small-scale fisheries for sustainable food systems".

- Organizational level: The purpose of the survey is to enhance understanding of where women are organized in small-scale fisheries (or 'map' them both geographically and within the value chain) and what their present organizational characteristics, capacities, and needs are. Data were collected and analyzed to recommend interventions to enhance women’s organizational capacities and to work towards greater gender equality in fish value chains. The survey covers organizational-level characteristics (i.e., not individual members) of women’s small-scale fishery organizations (defined as formal or informal organizations whose members and leaders are majority women who work in the small-scale fishing sector). Data collection entailed 3-5 members of one women’s organization meeting and collectively answering the survey questions regarding the characteristics of their organization. The survey included questions about group structure, characteristics, and history as well as participation in the value chain, membership benefits, external linkages, and greatest needs.

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