The role of women in the contribution of small scale fisheries to food security, meeting organized by CAOPA and FENACOPECI ahead of the world fisheries day in Abidjan

At the occasion of the World Fisheries Day, which will be held on the 21st of November 2012 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, CAOPA will organize a 3 day meeting, together with FENACOPECI (Fédération Nationale des Coopératives de Pêche de Côte d’Ivoire), on the following topic: “Improving the contribution of artisanal fisheries to food security: The role of women” from the 18th to the 21st of November 2012. Around 40 professionals, mostly women from artisanal fishing organisations that are member of CAOPA (14 African countries) and representatives of international institutions will be invited to dialogue with professionals on how to improve the contribution of artisanal fisheries to food security, in particular at the level of the activities of women in the sector (FAO, ECOWAS, African Union, SRFC, COMHAFAT, APPEL). In African countries, including those of CAOPA members, women play an important role in fisheries, especially in the small-scale sector. However, many difficulties prevent their role to be enhanced and to generate real value added to fish products. The aim of the meeting is to make a thorough diagnosis of the obstacles to improving the contribution of artisanal fisheries to food security, in particular the obstacles encountered by women in the sector, identify actions needed, set priorities and make recommendations for the removal of these obstacles and establish the basis for a dialogue with the international and regional institutions with the potential to support these actions.