This publication presents a record of the 1998 International Symposium on Women in Asian Fisheries. The fisheries sector has unique problems related to women, which have to be addressed not only from a technical standpoint but also from a social one. The symposium aimed at stimulating discussion and promoting well-planned research and development activities in this area. Thirteen presentations, resulting from scientific research and documented field experiences, describe regional experiences. Case studies from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and the countries of Indo-China largely re-emphasize the various aspects of gender inequity resulting from social traditions, cultural orientation, and family and work place values, exacerbated by poverty and state indifference. The impact on women is well-documented: unrecognized and unvalued work at home, lack of or poor access to productive resources, lack of opportunities for self- or paid-employment, displacement by new technology or production arrangements, lower chances for advancement, low wages, exploitation by employers, poor health and poor productivity. Amongst other impacts on families, food insecurity remains a constant threat.