Women in Fisheries Forum Opens to Empower Belize’s Blue Economy Leaders

Women in Belize’s fisheries sector gathered at Old Belize today for the opening of the 9th Women in Fisheries Forum, an annual event designed to empower women working throughout the country’s blue economy. The forum brought together women from fishing communities across the country to discuss challenges facing the industry, explore new opportunities, and strengthen their role in fisheries management and marine resource conservation. Since its launch in 2016, the event has grown into a key platform for advancing the participation of women in a sector that has traditionally been dominated by men.  Marine Conservation Director with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Ralna Lamb-Lewis, says the forum continues to provide an important space for women to connect, share experiences, and build leadership within the industry.

Ralna Lamb Lewis, Marine Conservation Director, Wildlife Conservation Society: “The premise was really for us to, initially was for us to recognize that women are engaged in the fisheries sector. But more so we’re looking at how we could focus on granting women the access to some of the resources available in these different spaces, in the blue economy space as well. So it’s a shift, it’s gradual progression I should say. So we’re shifting more so from the recognition because I believe now people in Belize as as well as globally are aware of the fact that women are engaged in small scale fisheries, whether it’s processing, whether it’s value added, fishing directly, as well as we have women who manage the fishing households that’s another aspect to it as well. Primarily, when we think about fishing obviously we think also about males who are dominant in the sector, right? When we look at the statistics, we have around 97% of commercial licensed fishers being males as well as about 3% are women. But in so doing, you know, one of the things that we need to look at as well is that I think we understand now that women have a role that they’re playing within that sector. One of the other things that we’re really looking at is in terms of the access. I mean, when you think, for example, you know, people think about fisheries as being male-dominated that means then that when you have your meetings, you have your different engagements, you’re more focus on the men and not necessarily the women. So their access to grants, to funding is limited. So that is part of the reason why we have engagements like this so that we recognize women and  it helps to increase their access to some of these resources that are out there, the opportunities.”

Throughout the day, participants took part in panel discussions, presentations, networking opportunities, and a Blue Space Marketplace that showcased products, services, and initiatives led by women and community-based enterprises. Two women attending the forum also spoke with Love News about the importance of the event and the opportunities it creates for women in fishing communities across Belize.  Also addressing the gathering was Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Secretariat, Sandra Grant, who emphasized the importance of removing barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in certain areas of the fisheries sector.

Sandra Grant, Deputy Executive, CRFM Secretariat Director: “We are there to support the women in our fishing communities. We help them with training and capacity building in whatever area that they wish. I’m hoping to see in the future more young women participating in this event, but we have been ten years strong and out of this, which started as a brief conversation it’s now where we now have a National Women in Fisheries Association.”

Ivette Cobb, Participant: “It’s my ninth participation in this Women’s and Fisheries Forum. I am here on behalf of the Women’s Homestay Association, Sarteneja. It’s very interesting because when attending the forum, we meet opportunities, we meet women’s empowered like her and others, and we meet also woman that, as we heard this morning, that they never thought they would engage in this and they have been even though they start from the bottom and they have been there for us representing and as advocating too for us women. It was one of my most interest to come here, share with others to make use of our resources.”

Vonetta Dawson, FIsherwoman: “The job that I do and as a woman in fishing, proud to let everyone know women also fish and do exactly as the guys do. So every forum I attend or someone attending my place, I learn something new. I meet other women in fishing and it’s very fun and wonderful to meet women that is doing stuff like you and understand when we’re talking to each other, having a conversation and you don’t know what I’m speaking about. So the knowledge, the education, everything about it that’s why I love attending or having someone in my piece when I can’t attend.” 

The forum continues tomorrow with a field visit to Caye Caulker, where participants will tour a stone crab fishing enterprise operated by fisherwoman Maria Allen and learn about sustainable fishing practices that support marine conservation and economic development.  Hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society in collaboration with the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative, this year’s forum was held under the theme, “Celebrating Women in Belize’s Blue Economy: Leadership, Innovation, and Opportunity.”