Understanding the Roles of Women and Mainstreaming it in Ghana’s Artisanal Fisheries

Abstract

Recognizing the significance of women's contributions to Ghana's artisanal fisheries is essential for promoting gender equality and inclusiveness in the pursuit of sustainable development. Despite their crucial involvement in the sector, women face challenges such as limited access to opportunities and exclusion from decision-making processes, undermining their value. The government has attempted to incorporate gender-focused initiatives into the national fisheries management plan, but these efforts have not succeeded, and gender inequality continues.

There is a growing necessity to integrate gender-sensitive strategies into national policies that address gender equality. Consequently, this study was conducted to explore the vital roles women play and how these can be integrated into Ghana's artisanal fisheries. The research involved a thorough examination with 44 participants from the artisanal sector utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collection occurred through key informant interviews conducted from December 2024 to January 2025, with analyses performed using SPSS and Excel.

Findings indicate that prevailing gender roles are heavily influenced by the belief that men handle pre-harvesting and harvesting, while women are relegated to post-harvest activities and trading. Despite respondents acknowledging the significant roles women fulfill in the industry, such contributions remain unrecognized. While some are familiar with the concept of gender mainstreaming, they lack clarity on its implementation within their organizations' policies. Moreover, the assignment of roles is primarily dictated by gender identity and cultural customs, whereas ideas of competence dictate authority.

Nonetheless, the study highlighted benefits realized by stakeholders fulfilling their respective roles, including food provision, enhanced livelihoods, improved decision-making participation for both genders, better financial management skills, and acquisition of technical knowledge. The research also unveiled various challenges that need addressing in government ‘s efforts to ensure gender equality and sustainable fisheries in Ghana.