Gender Roles in Coastal Resources Management of a Fishing Community in Lucena City, Quezon Province, Philippines

Abstract

Human activities continue to add pressure on marine and coastal ecosystems resulting to its collapse. The dynamics of its governance has even undervalued women’s contribution in the labor force of the fisheries sector. Globally, gender equality in sustainable marine and coastal ecosystems are espoused in the 5th and 14th sustainable development goals. This study explored the gender component and coastal resources management practices of a fishing community in Lucena City, Quezon Province, Philippines. Specifically, the role and participation of women in fishing activities including key issues and challenges in the community related to the use of their coastal resources and natural environment was done using a survey questionnaire. Demographic profile of respondents showed that majority of the fishers belonged to families in subsistence poverty. There was a significant proportion of single male over female fishers with computed values of 14.079 and 0.30 using Chi-square and Cramer’s V tests, respectively. Young male fishers were forced to stop schooling and engaged in fishing activities to help provide additional income for their families. Results also showed that there was no significant difference between female and male fishers regarding their engagement in the same labor-intensive fishing activities. Identified key issues and challenges include ineffective implementation of coastal water patrolling, illegal fishing from intruders, lack of alternative livelihood during tropical weather disturbances, low participation in CRM initiatives and membership in POs. Recommended solutions include: (1) provision of high-speed patrol boat; (2) budget allocation for the trainings and minimal capital for alternative livelihood during off-season fishing; (3) stringent implementation of ordinance on legal fishing gears and equipment including jurisdiction on coastal waters; (4) budget allocation for the establishment of PO cooperative; (5) information education communication (IEC) initiatives and projects in coordination with the academe and LGU for technical expertise and trainings. Established baseline data from this study may be used as basis for the LGU and stakeholders in policy-making, projects prioritization, IEC and outreach programs. Through concerted local, national and global action addressing the vicious cycle of poverty can the sustainable development goals may be realized. Further study may be considered on the community’s adaptation, resilience, and mitigation towards climate change.