The economic role of women in sustainable fishing on the shores of Lake Victoria: a case study of Kasenyi Landing Site, Entebbe, Wakiso District

Abstract

Kasenyi fishing community is one of the major fishing communities in Uganda. Because of the prevailing economic situation in Uganda, many of these fishing communities face numerous problems, such as inadequacy of fish catches, fish spoilage, loss of income and poor management. In this context, this study aimed mainly at the economic role played by women in sustainable fishing. The study was based on four objectives, namely; the economic roles of women in sustainable fishing; social problems faced by women in various activities related to fishing industry, the contribution of women’s fishing activities towards improving on their household incomes; and the influences of cultural practices, attitudes and beliefs on women’s participation in sustainable fisheries. The study was carried out through the use of individual interviews, focus group discussions and use of secondary data and administration of questionnaires. The results indicated that women in Kasenyi fishing community were engaged in various income-generating activities including fishing, fishing-related activities, farming, and petty trading. The study also revealed that the women divided their time between household chores and income-generating activities, sometimes spending up to 16 hours between both functions. It also revealed that women, children and other relatives participated in the daily household chores. Fish marketing and the marketing of other fishing products is the most lucrative activity in the community while production of fish earns very small returns. The daily income of women is made up of income from various sources including primary and secondary activities. Also, activities in kind, though these do not directly attract income, are indirect income-generating activities for these women for most of them, especially the full-time house-wives