Voices of the Women Fisheries
OVERVIEW
2022-2023
As the gateway to Sumatra, Lampung holds a strategic position. Surrounded by two bays and oceans, which cover 41 percent of the province, fisheries and marine resources have become one of the main sectors for Lampung’s economic growth. One of the potential resources is blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries. BSC fisheries support the livelihoods of more than 4,000 fishermen and 1,000 other individuals, the majority of whom are women who work as sorters and processors.
Several studies show that women fishers in Lampung are involved in the BSC’s industries, both large and small scales, encompassing all stages—from catching crabs, post-harvest processing, managing waste as an alternative business, to trading. These women fishers contribute significantly to supporting their family's economy. Unfortunately, various social and economic disparities in society place women in a vulnerable position, affected by unsustainable BSC fisheries management practices.
Since 2020, the Sustainable BSC Fisheries Management Committee in Lampung has partnered with the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) and Photovoices International (PVI) to enhance the role of women fisheries in Central Lampung, East Lampung, and Tulang Bawang Regency. Various activities have been carried out to develop and increase the capacity of women in fisheries through the introduction of business canvas and participatory photography. Additionaly, the Government also collaborates with related partners to conduct financial literacy training, post-harvest handling of BSC, and processing BSC shell waste.
Supported by the Lampung Sustainable BSC Fisheries Management Committee, PVI collaborated with CTC, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Mitra Bentala (a community-based organization in Lampung) to carry out the Photovoices program in two areas, Kuala Tedas and Sungai Burung, Tulang Bawang Regency, over nine months, from October 2022 to June 2023. This program’s theme, “Women Fisheries in Lampung Promote Sustainable BSC Fisheries” aims to inspire women as agents of positive change in the sustainable management of BSC fisheries resources in Lampung Province.
4
key issues
were identified in
Kuala Teladas Village
5
key issues
were identified in Sungai Burung Village
20
women participants
46
photo stories
were exhibited
GALLERY
HIGHLIGHTS
Identifying Main Issues
The program facilitated two women’s groups in two villages to identify their roles in (BSC) fisheries. The women participants were between the ages of 27-47, and identify themselves as housewives and, at the same time, are deeply involved in fisheries/BSC, ranging in activities from producing fish crackers, helping in cleaning and mending the nets, crab meat picking, to owning small shops, selling food, to being health cadres and providing services to fellow community members to make ID cards and Family Cards. They identified and decided on the following issues to focus on:
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Kuala Teladas Village: education, clean water, fisheries (BSC, capture fisheries, fisheries products like crackers), empowerment (such as village infrastructure).
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Sungai Burung Village: fisheries (BSC, clams), education, clean water, mangrove ecosystem, and health.
Gaining New Perspective
The project helped them to clearly see the vital roles women play as partners to their husbands in the day-to-day running of the business, as well as the financial contribution they make to their families from their income as fishers.
At the start of the Photovoices Project, they identified primarily as housewives and considered pushing back against the threat of sand dredging to BSC habitat to be men’s work or responsibility. Over time and through critical discussions, the women began to see their roles differently. Through their involvement in the Photovoices project, they learned that their voices are critical to the protection of coastal areas to ensure the sustainability of the crabs and their habitat, as well as women’s livelihoods.
“The crabs are not only the future of fishing families but also the future of women in Kuala Teladas Village. Therefore, we hope that the government will help protect our seas from destruction, such as dredging and dumping, so that our crabs will continue to exist,” says Susna, one of the participants during the photo presentation in May 2022.
Presenting Photos
At the end of the project, the participants exhibited 46 photos, impressing the key stakeholders and guests who came to the event. A total of 137 people attended the event, including the Governor of Lampung, representatives from various Provincial and Regency agencies, the Tulang Bawang Regency Secretary and Regency People’s Consultative Council/Parliament, the Provincial Police, BSC companies and Village Heads and communities.
Latest Development
The young participants had the opportunity to present their photos in front of the neighborhood and community unit heads, district head, as well as their parents. The issues presented were very personal, such as school drop out, teenage brawls, safe space for children, marine pollution, and unemployment. At the Final Photo Exhibition and Discussion, they expressed their thoughts, feelings, and ideas about how to make their environment safer for children.
QUOTES
"Without women, the fishing efforts of their husbands would not succeed.”
Elya
PVI-Mitra Bentala Training participant, Lampung
PROJECT STAKEHOLDER
