Empowerment of women involved in clam fisheries of Kerala - a case study

Abstract

Fisherwomen contribute significantly for the coastal economy as well as their own
\ndisposable household income. Yet their socio-economic status in the society is
\nlagging far behind the man. The high degree of wage disparity between men and
\nwomen for doing tire same job indicates the general level of exploitation and gender
\ninequalities. The special feature of clam fisheries is that women exclusively perform
\nthe entire activities pertaining from its collection from the backwaters and ultimate
\ndisposal to consume:-s. The present study reveals that women in clam fisheries are
\nperforming time consuming and prolonged labour intensive works. These heavy
\nworkloads leave very little time for rest, leisure or tire pursuit of any other
\nactivities. The study also focused attention on the need for empowerment of women
\ninvolved in clam fisheries in the Vembanadu and Ashtamudi lakes of Kerala.