The dynamic role of women in transformed fisheries of Lake Victoria

The decline of fish catch in Lake Victoria has manifested into changed gender role with women being edged out of fisheries activities. This paper attempts to describe the role of women in transformed fisheries of Lake Victoria. A total of 246 fishers from fishing dependents communities in three islands of Lake Victoria were involved. A Cross-Sectional Research Design was abided whereas both probability and non-probability sampling techniques aided selection of both men and women respondents in fish capture and offshore fisheries activities. Findings from study revealed the existence of a clear-cut division of labor within the fishery sector with men and women taking on different roles. However, women fishers reported to be unprivileged by men occupying fisheries activities previously undertaken by women during artisanal fishery. The emergence of commercial fishery resulted into women's role in fish processing and other post-harvest activities immediately occupied by fishermen and or male fish agents. Adverse impact of men domination in fisheries activities were remarkable to female headed households than male headed due to disproportional access in fisheries resources. The prevalence of socio-cultural restrictions and prohibition of women engagement into some fisheries activities indicated to deter women'sstruggle to edge out of poverty. Thecreation of non-fisheries income generating activities and establishment of fish farms (aquaculture) in the riparian community holds promising prospects to women and community at large.