Breaking Gender Borders in Philippine Aquaculture: a Case Study in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Abstract

A gender case study of housewives engaged in tilapia farming was conducted in January 2018 in Isabela, Province of Negros in central Philippines. A socioeconomic survey was administered to female fish farmers using the face to face interview method with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Fish farming as a livelihood requires strenuous and laborious activities. For these reasons, fish farmers are usually male. The expectation that husbands should provide for the family and wives are left at home to take care of the household has ceased to be the norm. Women have found their niche and have become actively involved in the management, production, and general administration in aquaculture. While poverty cannot be totally eradicated, Filipinos’ resiliency opened doors for women to explore their indispensable roles in aquaculture and economic progress.