Analysis of Gender Roles in Philippine Fishing Communities
Publisher: Journal of International Development
Author(s): Elin Torell, Joan Castro, Alfredo Lazarte, and Danielle Bilecki
Date: 2020
Topics: Gender, Governance, Livelihoods, Renewable Resources
Countries: Philippines
A gender analysis implemented to identify gender norms, resource use patterns and power relationships in fishing communities in the Philippines revealed that the roles of women and men are deeply integrated, but unequal, especially in relation to workload, leadership and decision‐making. Reaching 666 individuals across 26 villages, the analysis found that men access high‐value species whereas nearshore and shallow ecosystems are controlled by both women and men. Strengthening gender roles and forwarding ecosystem‐based fisheries management will require challenging social constructs, growing women's confidence and recognizing the ‘invisible’ work of women in households and the fisheries sector.