In India, 1.6 million women, mostly from oppressed castes, identify as fisherwomen. Yet, in government policies and within fishing communities, the role of women remains largely unacknowledged. Climate stress in coastal communities and a pandemic-fueled economic slowdown have made these women more vulnerable than ever.
Getting recognition for their labor and securing rights is a constant battle for fisherwomen—both within the community and outside. Their lack of representation and rights stems from systemic inequity. Several factors, including patriarchy, casteism, and lack of access to capital, fuel this discrimination.
Various stakeholders—the community, the government, and the fishing industry—enable and perpetuate it.
Fisherwomen across India have fought against this. While their objectives are similar, their battles vary, based on their unique geographical, cultural, and societal contexts.
In this five-part multimedia project, journalists Monica Jha, Shamsheer Yousaf, and Sriram Vittalamurthy bring stories from across India and explore common themes across regions. Each story presents a unique solution to the crisis and a model for other communities who face similar challenges, and underscores the benefits of promoting the role of women in fishing.
