Policy and policy framework for growth of women's fisheries activities: accessing micro credit facilities for women in fisheries development as a fundamental human right

This paper begins with a review of policy issues on status of women’s fundamental human rights and the effects on their optimal participation in fisheries development. The focus of the paper is on the importance of women in fisheries activities within the fisheries industry. Issues pertaining to gender inequality in the rural communities affecting women in the fisheries sector, and solutions to overcome some of these issues are discussed. The degree of participation of women in the fisheries sector is an overall reflection of the cultures, the laws of the country and the priority given by the state to ensure gender equity. Generally, women in Nigeria, especially those from depressed fisheries households, participate actively in many fisheries activities, including aquaculture. However, the lower status accorded to women in many of the communities in Nigeria means that their contribution to fisheries is undervalued and unrecognized. Issues that need to be addressed with regards to participation of women in fisheries which include sensitivity to gender issues in fishery, improve living conditions, promote programs relating to women, reconsidering the practice of relating fishing rights to their right to speak and others are discussed in the paper The paper also looks at the possibilities of articulating measures in sensitizing the womenfolks through education, especially in knowing their fundamental human rights as specified by the UN’s articles, especially ability to access micro-credit in fisheries activities, the nature of loans and alternative strategies to tackle the problem of small-scale credit to women in fisheries development in the nation