Women have been present in fishing, they weave nets, fillet, market, capture, restore mangroves, care for and feed those who go out to sea. However, his work continues not to be fully recognized. From different corners of the country, they decided to organize to be named and made visible.
This is how the first National Meeting “Women in Fishing and Aquaculture, from the Sea to the Table” was born, held in Campeche and organized by various agencies of the Government of Mexico, including the Secretariat of Women and the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The women came together to discuss the challenges they face in the fishing sector. Source: Itzel Chan.
The meeting brought together more than 150 women from different states of the country. In this space, they shared personal and collective experiences, advances and the challenges they face in a sector, historically, dominated by men.
“We are here to tell our entire country that women have always been in fishing, that we are a fundamental part of this activity and now that they begin to see each other, we have already opened the door and will not close it again,” said Yanett Castro, of the Cooperativa Almejeras de Santa Cruz and president of the National Network of Women of Sustainable Tidal Fishing.
Women say they are involved just like men in the fishing industry. Source: Almejeras de Santa Cruz.
One of the main complaints was the lack of institutional recognition, since several participants agreed that, even in the economic censuses of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), their work is not recorded as fishing activities, but as domestic tasks.
“The challenge is that, that they recognize us and that they begin to give us a face and a name,” Yanett added.
The invisibility of their work is also reflected in the lack of support, since most of them are not included in the fishing standards of their states, and others, although they do appear, do not have access to life insurance, materials or support programs.
During the meeting, the women's voices echoed each other because they cross very similar circumstances. Source: Sustainable Tide.
Sandy de la Cruz, from Paraíso, Tabasco, recalled that historically women have done work “given away” because it is assumed that it is their responsibility and commitment as wives, daughters or mothers.
“Women have supported fishing from their homes, from the beaches, but almost never from decision-making, it's as if our voice didn't count,” she said.
Among the attendees were aquaculturists, mangrove restorers, fillets, monitoring hoes, lobster and shrimp fishermen, oysters, winemakers and members of supervisory committees, all of whom play an essential role in the fishing production chain.
They agreed that their workdays never end and it's as if they were working 24/7, unlike their male colleagues.
“We see that men sometimes rest one day a week, in addition to working, we must cook, clean, wash clothes, take care of our children and organize the times to take them to school,” said Martha Góngora, from Cozumel, Quintana Roo.
In addition to fishing, they are involved in surveillance, monitoring and conservation activities. Source: Natalia Gutierrez.
From Celestún, Yucatán, Esther Yérvez, stressed that the country is not safe for women, and that the situation worsens when they are engaged in fishing because they experience discrimination and violence of all kinds, on a daily basis.
The meeting was also a space to discuss the defense of the oceans, mangroves, beaches and the ecosystems that surround them, giving them identity and sustenance.
“Not only are we fighting against climate change, against the pollution of our resources, against extractivism, but we are also fighting against the abandonment of authorities, we are fighting against the lack of support for women in fishing,” said Rita González, from Cozumel, Quintana Roo.
The participants recognized themselves as guardians of the sea, knowledge, language and nature, and reaffirmed their collective commitment to continue to make visible their role in Mexican fishing until their work is fully recognized, with names and human and labor rights.
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