More than 20 women fishers from coastal communities around Fiji gathered at the Leleuvia Island Resort for a three-day workshop on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction (CCA/DRR) and climate justice concepts, activities, and approaches.
The knowledge-sharing and capacity-building workshop which ended yesterday was funded by Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action through the Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF) to strengthen capacities in resilience on CCA/DRR.
Women in Fisheries Network Fiji (WiFN- Fiji) president and marine biologist Cherie Whippy-Morris said this was to continue to build the capacity of the fisherwomen to become more resilient to climate change impacts including disasters for the benefit of themselves, their families, and communities.
“The focus on fisherwomen is to enable them to raise their voices and contribute to sustainable management of the marine environment which is within their rights and be recognised for their contribution in coastal fisheries,” Ms Whippy-Morris said.
She said women held the knowledge of all aspects of the fisheries in which they were engaged, so over time, they saw changes that were taking place and could contribute effectively to the management of marine areas and resources in a changing climate.
Namara District in Tailevu representative, Nanise Tabali, said she was thankful for the session as her village battled with soil erosion.
“My house on the hill right next to it you can see that the soil is slowly eroding. What I learnt from here will enable me to teach the other women in my village,” Ms Tabali said.
The WiFN-Fiji plans to conduct more climate-related capacity-building activities including humanitarian response for fisher women so that they are able to make good decisions, especially in times of crisis, minimise disruption to their lives/livelihoods and contribute to wellbeing of families.
