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An Analysis of Gender Roles in Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries in Negombo and Chilaw Fisheries Districts of Sri Lanka

This document summarizes a conference paper that analyzed gender roles in small-scale coastal fisheries in Sri Lanka. The paper found that while seagoing fishing was male-dominated, over 33% of fisherwomen supported fishing activities through pre-harvest and post-harvest tasks like net cleaning, mending, and fish sorting. Fisherwomen also contributed more to household management tasks. Some financial and family decisions were made jointly. Both husbands and wives participated in community events. The paper recommends considering gender roles in fisheries policies to improve well-being in small-scale coastal communities.

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37 views2 pages

An Analysis of Gender Roles in Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries in Negombo and Chilaw Fisheries Districts of Sri Lanka

This document summarizes a conference paper that analyzed gender roles in small-scale coastal fisheries in Sri Lanka. The paper found that while seagoing fishing was male-dominated, over 33% of fisherwomen supported fishing activities through pre-harvest and post-harvest tasks like net cleaning, mending, and fish sorting. Fisherwomen also contributed more to household management tasks. Some financial and family decisions were made jointly. Both husbands and wives participated in community events. The paper recommends considering gender roles in fisheries policies to improve well-being in small-scale coastal communities.

Uploaded by

Sumudu Rathnadiwakara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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net/publication/369269814

An analysis of gender roles in small-scale coastal fisheries in Negombo and


Chilaw fisheries districts of Sri Lanka

Conference Paper · March 2023

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3 authors, including:

Thanuja Nirmani Thilakarathna K.H.M.L. Amaralal


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National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Scientific Sessions 2022

An analysis of gender roles in small-scale coastal fisheries in Negombo and


Chilaw fisheries districts of Sri Lanka

M.T.N. Thilakarathna*, H.P.D.A. Lakmali and K.H.M.L. Amaralal


National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Crow Island,
Colombo 15, Sri Lanka

The small-scale coastal fishery is recognized as a major subsector for sustaining livelihoods in
fisheries industry and it is diverse in gender roles. The objectives of this study were to identify
gender roles in productive, household and community activities and to examine constraints in
gender empowerment in the three aspects: active fishing, dry fish processing, and marketing. This
study was conducted in Negombo and Chilaw. A socio-economic survey was conducted using
semi-structured questionnaire from 60 fishing households based on non-probability, convenience
sampling method. Field data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package and Harvard
Analytical Framework was used for gender role analysis. Study results found that majority of
fishermen (41.7%) belonged to 41-50 age category while majority of fisherwomen (35%) were
belonged to 31-40 age category. Though seagoing fishing was a male- dominated activity, more
than 33% of fisherwomen supported their fishing activities. Fisher women engaged in pre-harvest
and post-harvest activities including net clearing (56.7%), net loading (36.7%), net mending
(25%), repairing nets (40%), sorting fish (51.7%), dry fish making (31.7%) and fish selling (60%).
Study results revealed that fisherwomen provided more contribution in household management
including preparing meals (86.7%), cleaning (91.7%) and washing clothes (80%). Further, some
important decisions were made jointly by husband and wife such as financial management (40%),
education of the children (33.3%) and borrowings from financial institutions (56.7%). 51.7% of
fishermen participated in fisheries community organizations while both husband and wife jointly
participated in weddings (95%), funerals (90%) and religious functions (78.3%). Low fish catch,
high cost of fishing gears were major issues faced by fishermen while fisherwomen faced
constraints such as lack of recognition for women’s work and gender discrimination in wage
labour. It is recommended to concern gender roles into fisheries policies for the well-being of
small-scale coastal fishing communities in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: empowerment, gender roles, small scale coastal fisheries, well-being

*Corresponding author – email: [email protected]

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