Women’s empowerment in small-scale fisheries: The impact of Fisheries Local Action Groups

Several authors have noted that there is an under-representation of gender approaches in fisheries policy and research. While fisheries are widely considered a male-dominated industry, women play a significant and vital role in the survival of small-scale family-run fisheries and are frequently the driving force of innovation, diversification, and the development of new markets. However, these roles are often unseen – with the male fishers being the registered beneficiary and performer of more visible tasks. Although several fisheries studies have focused on gender, no study has yet considered or contextualized the impact of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) on both the visibility and empowerment of women. Drawing on a quantitative survey of 113 FLAGs and the qualitative case study of three EU fisheries areas, this paper explores these factors. While the results show that FLAGs are active in supporting women in diversification activities, the findings highlight that their impact on women’s empowerment is complex, varies between areas, and that interventional programs play an important role in identifying gender issues in fisheries areas and how they impact their transformation and survival.