Transformation in gender roles with changes in traditional fisheries in Kerala, India,

Abstract

In most food production systems technological changes, such as mechanisation, have often resulted in the displacement of women from their traditional roles. This paper looks at three different fisheries in the traditional sector in the central part of the state of Kerala, India and attempts to analyse the changes in gender roles. The ring seine fishery which was initially small scale, has now transformed into a capital intensive, high powered, labour intensive fishery with landings shifting from the beaches to the harbours. With the landings shifting to the harbours and becoming linked to the price incentives of the market, women have slowly been marginalised from marketing activity. The stake net fishery is generally practiced by the Dheevara community. Women are completely excluded from fishing operations and come into the picture only after the catch is landed. In the localised clam fishery, women were once actively involved in handpicking for the clams. But motorised canoes gave more scope for men and hence women were displaced. These changes, need fishery-specific interventions to give women greater access to the benefits of the fisheries.