Against the tide - women go out to sea

Women can successfully challenge male bastions. Boat licenses being procured by fisher women in the Andaman Islands in the wake of the tsunami are a case in point. Traditionally considered a man’s domain, several women in the islands are opting to go out to sea and catch fish.

A swimming and boating competition organised by Pragati Mahila Sangathan, an association of women in the Andaman Islands , together with ActionAid showcased women’s newfound talents.

“I was drawing on all my strength as the water was hitting the paddle harder. It was a challenge and I knew I had to prove that women can be as strong as men,” says Devi, one of the participants in the competition. 

The real achievement was not winning the boat race or swimming the length of the course, but helping women to gain recognition that they can participate, and excel, in activities largely viewed as for men only.

Impressed by the skills and talents of the women, the Director of Social Welfare of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands announced that he will hasten the process for women to be granted boat licenses in the Andaman Islands . Boat licenses, similar to a driving license for the sea, are already in use by women in the nearby Nicobar Islands .

That promise has been fulfilled for three Andaman women. 

Yasoda from Loha Barik village, Rina from Badmash Pahar and Brindavati from Memiyo had already received boats from ActionAid and have now been awarded a license to operate them. The license also entitles them to government development programmes or to compensation schemes in case of a disaster.

Director of Fisheries, Mr. Krishnamurty, has promised to issue licenses to 15 more applicants who have proven their swimming and boating skills.

The licenses will help women to take boats to sea opening up jobs such as deep-sea fishing that were previously restricted to men. It will also enable women to form fishing cooperatives and take a larger stake in the fishing trade.

“We are very happy and appreciate the efforts made by ActionAid. We will provide all the required support to see to it that the licenses are obtained at the earliest,” Director of Fisheries, Mr. Krishnamurty, had told dignitaries, academics, reporters and men, women and children from coastal areas who gathered for the boating and swimming event at Lal Pahar Primary School in Port Blair.

Despite their daily contribution to fishing – women take over once the fish is landed – they are not officially recognised as part of the fishing industry. As a result, their involvement in government schemes to restore livelihoods in the wake of the tsunami is still rare.

“Inspiring women to muster the courage to boat and swim in front of such a large gathering of people is an important step. We are working to strengthen women’s confidence to go beyond the walls of their homes and take part in activities that may help protect them in the advent of future disasters,” says Damayanti, Women’s Rights Officer for ActionAid in the Andamans and one of the event organisers.

Challenging stereotypes

“Recognising the different roles, responsibilities, capacities and vulnerabilities of women and men is crucial in creating effective disaster reduction programmes,” she adds. “But we also have to challenge these stereotypes. Demonstrating that women can handle boats may help us to break into the realm of other male-dominated activities.”

As part of our tsunami response, ActionAid is working with women’s groups across the Andaman and Nicobar islands to offer training programmes for women who want to take up fishing.