Locations
Meet four women charting a new course in the fishing industry
Big fish
March 27, 2025
Globally, women play a vital, yet often overlooked role in the fishing industry, holding 90 percent of processing and other related jobs such as algae collection, fish cleaning and net repair.
Photo: UNDP Türkiye/Zafer Kizilkaya
"On my boat, I feel good," says Zara, capturing the sense of purpose she finds in her work.
Just as she navigates through choppy waters from the helm of her boat, Zara and other women are charting a course toward a more equitable and prosperous fishing sector.
This story celebrates four women whose determination and resilience are driving meaningful change in the fishing industry.
Jenny | Peru
Jenny has worked for more than 30 years as an algae collector in the Ica region, Peru. She remembers how men used to call her and other women working alongside her "weak" and say "women belong in the kitchen". Challenging these stereotypes has been the driving force of her life.
Globally, women hold 90 percent of processing and other complementary roles in fishing, such as collecting algae, cleaning fish or repairing nets, often in unstable, lower-paid jobs. The lack of data also makes it hard to assess their contributions, resulting in policies that overlook their needs. Their representation in decision-making is also limited; in Peru, data from 2013 showed that only 9 percent were involved in fishing organizations.
But little by little, Jenny proudly says:
"We made our voices heard and learned to stand up for ourselves. That's how we earned our place."
And that’s also how she was elected, not just once, but twice, as the president of the Asociación Realmar, an algae collectors' organization.
As president, Jenny brought about changes that challenged traditional norms and power structures within artisanal fishing associations, ensuring women were included at all levels to take part in decision-making. ‘Today, 50 percent of our members are women and everyone earns the same,’ Jenny asserts.
Her journey as a leader has been challenging, though. ‘Once, they [men] sent me for coffee while they signed the meeting minutes,’ she recalls. But Jenny is a woman of strong convictions, and this belief has driven her to lead the formation of the first federation for women in artisanal fishing in the country.
With the support of the UNDP Humboldt project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, women like Jenny are gaining inclusion in leadership roles and decision-making within fishing organizations in Peru and Chile, while also improving their management skills and advancing their economic empowerment.
Alyaa | Yemen
Alyaa’s life took a turn when she learned how to preserve tuna, produce fish spice blends and develop business management skills.
Living in Al-Buraiqa District, one of the poorest areas in Yemen's Aden Governorate, Alyaa and her community have long relied on fishing as their primary source of income. But despite the region’s rich coastline, frequent power outages often hinder the full use of their resources, leading to food waste and limiting their ability to make the most of their catch.
Like many women in the area, Alyaa had to set aside her dreams of higher education to support her family. As she puts it: "We’re so far away from higher educational institutions." But through a training programme funded by the European Union, she became more resourceful. "The skills I gained helped me start my own fish spice business from home," she proudly explains.
In 2011, the Fuqom Women Association was founded in Al-Buraiqa to provide social services to the community. Run entirely by women, the Association is financed by a table salt factory, a training hall and a sewing atelier. More recently, they opened a small tuna canning factory, where women like Alyaa play a key role in producing around 500 cans of tuna per day. The Association is also working with shops and markets to sell the products, creating a self-sustaining business model that benefits the entire community.
Amina, one of the members of the Association, points out the positive changes happening in the village:
"We’ve noticed a major change in women’s attitude and civic engagement. Some are now able to finance their family members’ higher education studies."
With only around 7 percent of women in Yemen actively participating in the labour force, women like Alyaa are driving creative ways to strengthen the fishing sector, boosting their incomes and creating new opportunities for young girls in the future.
Ubaida | Maldives
On Gemanafushi island in the Maldives, women in the fishing industry face economic challenges, including unfair payment conditions and dependence on unreliable intermediaries, hindering their ability to achieve financial autonomy and expand their businesses.
However, a transformative solution has emerged: the eDhumashi app. This digital marketplace enables women to independently manage their production and sales data. By facilitating direct payments, bypassing intermediaries and ensuring secure online transactions, eDhumashi gives women greater control over their finances. The app also helps them build credit histories, unlocking new financial opportunities and tools previously out of reach.
The International Pole and Line Foundation, is the organization behind the app, received support from the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, funded by Norway and Sweden. The Foundation’s coordinator, Ubaida, equips women with essential digital skills to ensure they can effectively use the platform.
"Tools like this app enable women to learn from their experiences, share knowledge and join online communities to gain exposure," she says.
Aishath, one of 50 women trained, had years of experience in fish production but lacked the digital skills to effectively market and sell her catch. After completing training, she gained greater control over her products through knowledge in food quality and safety, as well as commercial practices. "Now I know how to run a business on my own," she shares.
"Dhumashi", the name of a traditional fish rack, symbolizes the Maldives' rich fishing heritage, a legacy that, like the work of women in this sector, has been crucial to the community's livelihood. In this same spirit, Ubaida's efforts help women overcome digital barriers, which in turn helps them build financial independence.
Zara | Chad
Zara looks out at the waters of Lake Chad, a vital source of life for the 30 million people living along its shores. Yet, climate change, desertification and insecurity have plunged the region into fear and violence.
"Before, it was almost impossible to fish due to the menacing presence of terrorist groups," she emphasizes. Despite these challenges, every time she returns to shore with a good haul her face lights up. "I'm happy every time the catch is bountiful," she says, surrounded by her fellow fisherwomen, whose strength and unity lift them all.
Zara wasn’t always a fisherwoman. Years ago, she was a rice and maize farmer until floods destroyed her land and she was forced to find a new way to survive. Fishing, once unfamiliar to her, became the only option. And with it, a fresh start for her and her family:
"On my boat, I feel good. The lake is now our source of sustenance."
Today, Zara co-chairs the local Women’s Fishing Committee in Mittériné, in the western province of Hadjer-Lamis, in Chad. Her organization has been undertaking entrepreneurship training to help women grow and improve their fishing businesses. In addition to training, the UNDP Stabilization Programme in Chad provided tools, such as environmentally friendly fishing hooks and nets, or insulated fish storage boxes.
'I was equipped with knowledge, which has transformed me into a seasoned fisherwoman," Zara highlights.
"These training initiatives have been extended to the security forces on human rights and the fight against gender-based violence. This has restored confidence and trust within the community," says Charles M'Back, Head of the Stabilization Programme.
The profits from her fish sales have enabled Zara to start a small business and send her youngest daughter to school. For Zara, economic empowerment is not just a personal triumph, but a way to foster peace and stability in her village. "Having a future is important for stability and security. It’s through this that we can develop. The Sahel region holds so much potential, but without peace, none of this is possible," she concludes.
