29-01-2013, 11:12 AM
Women Fish Vendors in Kerala
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Introduction
Importance of the Study
Fisheries Sector plays an important role in the development of Kerala economy. The government gives priority to the fisheries sector because this sector provides employment and income to the people of both men and women either directly or indirectly and also it provides considerable revenue especially in foreign exchange to the exchequer of the state. Foreign exchange is essential for international trade and transactions. From the export of fish and other sea foods we earn foreign exchange. So it plays an important role. The Government of Kerala has undertaken projects and programmes for increasing production for conserving and ensuring sustainable exploitation of fisheries wealth for promoting cultivation of fish and prawns.
Fisheries sector is always assigned special significance in the development plans of the state and the country due to many factory. Fish is a very important source of animal protein to common man. Fishery is self renewing and replenishing source of food that can be harvested continuously throughout the year. Fishery sector contribute to that total output and provide employment to an important segment of population. At production, procuring and marketing stages of fisheries a large number .of employment opportunities are created. Fisheries sector contributes to the overall development of the country, as an earner of valuable foreign exchange also.
Methodology and Sources of Data
The study consists of both primary and secondary data. Socio economic background of women fish vendors is the basis of the primary data. The primary data collected through random sampling method. For this purpose, we followed various methods like group discussion, observation and interviews with semi structured questionnaire etc. Secondary data were collected from various sources like publications of the Department of fisheries, various journals and periodicals published by various authorities etc…….
Women fish vendors– a review
Considering the importance of fisheries sector in Kerala economy, several development programs were introduced by the government. Under the five year plans, with twin objectives of increasing annual fish production in the state and improving the socio economic condition of fisher folk.
Status and Role of women Workers in India
The welfare of the World require the maximum participation of women as well as men in all fields. There should have equal rights between men and women. There has been an increasing attention to the changing role of women in most societies. Now there is an increased participation of women in labour force. The International Woman’s Year 1975 shows a period during which greater attention would be focused on woman’s roles and potentials and the integration of women in developmental process.
The role and place of women in Indian society had been an important one. Woman being completely ignorant and fell easy victims to the exploitation by entrepreneurs seeking cheap labour. So many protective legislation was introduced to force the employers to improve the working condition of women.
The provision in the constitution of India regarding equal pay for men and women for equal work is not yet fully implemented in all parts of India. In India urban sector over 75percent of working women are currently concentrated in occupational group rather than those related to agriculture. This is shown in the following table (Table 3.1)
Kerala Fisheries
The state of Kerala is a narrow strip of land situated at the South west coast of the Indian Peninsular with an area of 38,900 sq.kms. with a population of 3,1838619 cores (2001 census). Fisheries from the main source of income for about 3percent of the population and contribute 2percent of the net domestic product. The state has a vast expanse of three distinct aquatic eco systems; fish water brackish water and marine. 44 rivers ,52 reservoirs nine lakes and thousands of ponds and tanks are the natural fresh water resources. 52 backwaters and 82 estuaries are the brackish water resources. Kerala has a coast line of 590 kms. It constitutes approximately 10percent of India’s total coast line.
Present status of women Fish vendors
As a result of education and work participation there are major changes in the lives of fisher women. Credit societies; particularly those in the corporative sector, thus have an important role to perform in empowering fishes women. MATSYAFED, A Kerala state Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development limited ,is an agency The Inland Fisheries development Corporation started functioning in 1962. The objectives of the Corporation were to start fish seed Production centers, fish farm etc for the development of inland fisheries.
Conclusion
The role of women fish vendors is very important in Kerala fisheries sector. Comparing previous situations in recent time they are not completely poor conditions. Various fisheries institutions working for their welfare.