The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD and the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) are supporting the formation of national chapters in the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET) across the continent. The technical support is against a backdrop where on the Continent, approximately 200 million people depend on fish as a cheap source of protein. In addition, in a 2018 report by FAO, it was noted that 59.6 million people were engaged in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, in which women accounted for only 14% (8 344 000).

Nonetheless, even though women in Africa are integrally involved in the fish and aquaculture sector, their contributions are under-valued and often go unrecognised.  It is for this reason that through Phase 2 of the Fisheries Governance project (FishGov2) AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD will be supporting 10 African countries to establish and formalise their national women’s chapters of African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network.

Dr Clement Adjorlolo, AUDA-NEPAD’s Fish Governance II Project Manager, facilitated the workshop in Pretoria for establishment of the South African Network for Women in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector. The workshop was officially opened by Mr Belemane Semoli, Chief Director Aquaculture and Economic Development, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment of South Africa.

An opening statement was made by Dr Motseki Hlatshwayo, Technical Fisheries Advisor from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who declared that “The establishment of the network is a milestone for the region, seeing as women play a critical role along the fisheries value chain in utilising fisheries resources not only for economic gains, but for nutritional and food security goals as well.”

In the AUDA-NEPAD opening statement, Dr Bernice Mclean, Acting Head of Industrialisation, stated that it was an honour for AUDA-NEPAD and AU-IBAR to support this initiative. “In terms of the establishment of the South African chapter, I have been fortunate enough to have joined the journey to establish this network over a year ago during the very early stages. It is heartening to see how far the dedicated group has come in the relatively short time and despite very real logistical and socio-economic challenges brought about by COVID-19. This really bodes well for the future success of the network,” Dr Mclean said. 

“This is a remarkable moment. Women in fisheries and aquaculture do not have to be alienated or feel alone. We are going to be a force that will support one another and speak for women in the sector,” Mrs Mashebane Thosago, Interim Chairperson of the South African Network for Women in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector proclaimed in her opening statement.

In Africa, women are still faced by challenges such as access to capital/funding for women in the sector; lack or limited participation of women traders and producers in policy decision; high costs of fish production; limited information sharing on prices, markets, and training and educational opportunities amongst others. Their work is often undervalued and usually receives less pay for the same work as compared to their male counterparts. On the other hand, family responsibilities limit their potential in taking full advantages of the opportunities in the sector. Their role in decision-making processes is limited in the governance institutions, communities and even at household level.

It has been recognised that participation of women in a collective action, self-help groups is a critical enabler in addressing gender inequality and facilitating necessary reforms of oppressive norms and practices. This brings about advocating for a common “Women” voice ensuring meaningful participation in governance and decision-making processes at all levels. The organisation of women involved in the sector will pave a way for engaging in the management of resources and providing a conduit for collaborating with government institutions. Therefore, African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network’s general objective is to contribute to improving the welfare, working conditions and income for women in fisheries and especially in the post-harvest sector within the member states of the African Union.

“We implore partners present today to support the implementation of the key agendas of the national chapter of African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network in order to support the welfare of women fish processors and traders as well as enhancing intra-regional fish trade through trade corridors,” Mrs Patricia Mweene Lumba, Senior Knowledge Management Officer said in a statement delivered on behalf of Dr Nick Nwankpa, Acting Director of AU-IBAR.

The main objectives of the workshop in Pretoria were to form a national Chapter of AWFISHNET, comprising of women active in fish farming, fish processors and traders, and to deliberate and adopt a constitution and rules of procedure for the national women network that is in line with the continental AWFISHNET guidelines. In addition, members were able to vote in the network’s inaugural executive office bearers and collectively identified key tasks and action plan for the legal operationalisation of the network. Participants at the workshop included fish and aquaculture producers, businesswomen, government representatives and representatives from SADC.

Through the technical implementation of FishGov2 by AUDA-NEPAD and AU-IBAR (with funding support from the European Union), ten countries in African are establishing their national chapters of African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network. The countries are Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tunisia and Zambia.