Abstract :
Under the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (RFLP), a baseline survey of 601 fishery households was conducted in the Central Coastal Vietnam provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam. The survey used a participatory approach to explore gender issues in fishery communities in 16 communes. This region presents economic challenges, especially for women who depend on rapidly depleting fisheries resources. On average, women in these provinces bear more children than the national average and work 12 to 14 hour days, three to four hours longer than the men. Education levels, especially of women, are low. Women have almost no voice in natural resource management because they have subordinate status due to traditional beliefs and prejudicial stereotypes. Women have fewer opportunities than men except in raising livestock, fish processing and trading fish. Although they have access to credit, women know little about financial management. Although women and men participate in the Women’s Union and Farmers Association chapters, these bodies offer little more than sympathetic support and the opportunity to share experiences. The communities need better access to education, health care, social services, and professional training. Gender equality should be taken into account in rural development and local authorities need to raise their awareness of gender issues.
