Mapping Gendered Spaces for Sandfish Resource Management in Guimaras, Philippines

Abstract

Women and men utilize spaces differently and have differential access to resources because of norms and values attached to certain places. In fisheries, the contributions of women are either overlooked or considered less valuable compared to those of men. Women often assume more traditional and supporting roles and attach lesser economic values to their activities. These gender dimensions were analyzed as part of the project on the sea ranching of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in the Province of Guimaras, Philippines. The project was initiated by the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD) and supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in 2015-2017 with a two-fold aim of enhancing the population of H. scabra stocks while providing a supplemental livelihood to the coastal communities reliant on fishery resources. The study highlighted the importance of analyzing the roles of women and men in the fisheries sector for the management of sandfish and other fishery resources in the intertidal zone.