The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) are the first internationally negotiated document dedicated specifically to the small-scale fisheries sector (see Box 1). The Guidelines represent a global consensus on principles and guidance for small-scale fisheries governance and development (FAO, 2016d). Notably, the principles of gender equity and equality are upheld as fundamental guiding principles in the SSF Guidelines. This represents a significant achievement towards women’s empowerment. At the same time, it also represents an opportunity for governments to meet important goals related to social and economic equity and equality, environmental sustainability, and local food security, including relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During consultations and capacity development events organized in the context of the SSF Guidelines implementation process, various stakeholders expressed the need for specific gender guidance in support of the application of the Guidelines.
This document, Towards Gender-Equitable Small-Scale Fisheries – A handbook In support of the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (henceforth the “handbook”), was developed to support gender-equitable small-scale fisheries by enhancing the understanding of their gender dimensions, with a focus on the specific role and conditions of women in the small-scale fisheries sector.
