Tunisian fisherwomen tackle climate change and gender discrimination

Tunisian women have worked in the fishing industry for decades but their contributions have often been overlooked, according to a recent study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the AFP reports. 

"Our society didn't accept that a woman would fish," Sara Souissi, a fisherwoman from the Kerkennah Islands near the city of Sfax, told the AFP.

While women have long been involved in the fishing process, the study points out that they are "rarely recognized as legitimate workers," which denies them access to critical resources such as benefits, training, and banking services.

The exact number of women working in Tunisia’s fishing industry remains unclear. 

Souissi is officially registered, but many others are forced to work informally. According to the World Economic Forum, about 60% of informal sector workers in Tunisia are women.

The Tunisian Society for Sustainable Fishing is hoping that will change. It has initiated efforts to better integrate women into the trade

“We want to create additional resources amid climate change, a decrease in marine resources, and poor fishing practices," Ryma Moussaoui, the Raoued workshop coordinator told AFP. 

Tunisian fisherwomen face a dual battle—not only against sexism but also against environmental challenges like pollution, overfishing, and climate change. With rising sea temperatures, Tunisia’s fish populations are under increasing strain.

Souissi uses sustainable fishing practices and believes others should do the same for the industry to survive. 

"Otherwise, what else can I do?" she said, rowing her boat back to shore. "Staying at home and cleaning? No, I want to keep fishing."