MABITAC, Laguna (PIA) – The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Calabarzon has initiated a gender awareness program to create equal opportunities between men and women in coastal communities. 

Through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program, BFAR rolled out its campaign in Mabitac, Laguna; Tingloy, Batangas; and in the municipalities of Alabat and Quezon to familiarize fisherfolk with gender issues in their communities.

According to BFAR, a total of 160 SAAD beneficiaries joined the program, including 38 women and 121 men who participated in discussions on gender, sex, gender roles, and gender issues. 

Fishing communities in the region have exemplified the important partnership between men and women. In Alabat, men were tasked to cut and assemble the structures in fish pens, while the women weaved the nets used. 

Meanwhile, women in Mabitac, Laguna play a more active role in their livelihood, selling the fish caught by the men to neighboring communities. 

“Fisherfolk associations can also encourage women and the youth to engage in seaweed processing and fish processing to increase their family’s income. These small steps will to improve gender awareness will probably result in equal development opportunities for both men and women in the community,”

Fisherfolk associations also relied on women to manage their financial resources, allowing them to harvest seaweeds and distribute fishing gear that would sustain their livelihood. (PB/PIA-4A)