Fostering Women’s Contributions to Inland Fisheries in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Gender is defined by the concept of duties, functions, and roles attributed to women and men in the public and private lives of society. In the context of gender policies, the Inland Fishery Resources Development and Management Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/IFRDMD) has actively promoted gender equality in Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Philippines since 2020. Women have taken leading roles in the inland fisheries value chain, particularly in processing and marketing. However, women have often been limited in their participation in decision-making processes. Recognizing these challenges, IFRDMD was committed to promoting gender equality in inland fisheries in Southeast Asia under the projects supported by the Japanese Trust Fund 6-2, entitled “Management Scheme of Inland Fisheries in Southeast Asian Region” and “Sustainable Management of Anguillid Eel Fisheries in Southeast Asian Region” which were implemented in 2020–2024.