In advance of the International Women’s Rights Day celebration workshop on 6-7 March, the executive board of the African Confederation of Professional Organizations of Artisanal Fisheries (CAOPA) held its annual meeting on 05 March 2023 in Abidjan.
The objective was to discuss around several topics related to, among others, the “review of IYAFA 2022 activities, information on the training programme on safety at sea for canoe captains (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia); what is the approach to continue advocacy and lobbying on the 5 points of the call to action; discussions on new CAOPA membership applications (Ghana: CaFGOAG, Côte d’voire: USCOOFEP-CI Niger: APN, Kenya/Fisheries Entrepreneurship Association); prospects for 2023-2024”.
In the afternoon of the Sunday March 5th, CAOPA team met with the National Federation of Cooperative Societies and Actors of the Fishing Sector in Côte d’Ivoire (FENASCOOP-CI). They discussed the preparations for the workshop and the celebration of March 8th, the invited organizations, the planned communications, and the various challenges to be met for a better success of the event. The scoping meeting brought together about twenty people
CELEBRATION WORKSHOP FOR WID 2023
Start of the workshop to celebrate the Women’s Rights International Day (06 and 07 March). Organized by CAOPA in collaboration with FENASCOOP-CI, this workshop brought together some forty women from 14 African countries
The theme was dedicated to the promotion of the Small-scale Fisheries Call to Action, launched on the occasion of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022).
The aim is to enable women to discuss the five axes identified in the Call to Action, in particular point 2: “Ensuring women’s participation and supporting their role in innovation”.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the technical advisor of the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources
Before her, it was first the vice-president of FENASCOOP-CI who gave the welcome speech. 𝗠𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗻𝗲̀𝗴𝗻𝗲̀ 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮 after extending a warm welcome, (AKWABA) to all participants, said : “It is up to us, as women, to situate our responsibility and our real commitment for a good governance of the resources that are becoming scarce and of which we will be the biggest losers, if they were to be sufficiently reduced”. “This is why, she added, “I call on everyone, especially the decision-making bodies, to involve and take into account the opinion of women for a better implementation of policies for the sustainable management of fisheries resources in our respective countries.”
Then, the vice-president of CAOPA, Antonia Adama Djalo, recalled that, “for more than ten years, we have joined forces so that our sector is recognized at its true value by our decision-makers”.
According to her, “little by little, our work is giving our communities, our women, the confidence to claim their rights, to assert their advantages, in social, economic and cultural terms, and as managers of coastal ecosystems.
Therefore, Lady Djalo said: “I am proud that small-scale fisheries are now better recognized at the international level, especially thanks to the efforts made by our organizations and partners during IYAFA. I am especially proud that we have contributed to the launch of the 2022 Call to Action for Small-scale Fisheries”.
Then, the vice-president of CAOPA, Antonia Adama Djalo, recalled that, “for more than ten years, we have joined forces so that our sector is recognized at its true value by our decision-makers. “According to her, “little by little, our work is giving our communities, our women, the confidence to claim their rights, to assert their advantages, in social, economic and cultural terms, and as managers of coastal ecosystems.
Therefore, Lady Djalo said: “I am proud that small-scale fisheries are now better recognized at the international level, especially thanks to the efforts made by our organizations and partners during IYAFA. I am especially proud that we have contributed to the launch of the 2022 Call to Action for Small-scale Fisheries”.
His speech was followed by that of Dr. Ndiaga Gueye, FAO Senior Officer for West Africa.
Speaking online, Dr Gueye praised CAOPA for organizing this activity, dedicated to women in African small-scale fishing.
“I would say that it is 365 days out of 365 that we must celebrate and magnify the role of women, especially those in small-scale fishing and aquaculture,” he said.
According to him, by following the IYAFA 2022, African countries have set out to celebrate as much as possible at the national, sub-regional and regional levels, the activities of fishing in their entirety, but above all, “to recognize the role of women. Because, he said, “women in small-scale fisheries work in a fishery that is small-scale but extremely valuable in terms of the sustainable development of the sector”.
Addressing the women, the FAO official said: “You work on a small scale, but your value is great. You are essential for achieving sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
The opening speech was given by the technical advisor of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Ms. Fadiga Haida Kaly.
For the technical adviser, the celebration of International Women’s Day has a special meaning. It is “a special moment for us, an exceptional opportunity to once again honour our mothers, our wives, our sisters, our colleagues and our daughters,” she said.
Beyond this celebration, Mrs. Fadiga emphasized, “we are invited to question ourselves deeply, to take stock of IYAFA 2022”.
The Minister’s representative emphasized the importance of “taking stock of the effectiveness of women’s rights and the challenges to be met so that women’s empowerment can bring opportunities for poverty reduction, food and nutritional security and socio-economic benefits in Africa”.
In doing so, it acknowledges the essential role that women play in the fisheries sector. Women are an essential pillar in accessing resources, in co- management and in the entire value chain,” said Ms. Fadiga, not forgetting their role “in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, that is, zero hunger.
After declaring the WID workshop open, CAOPA presented the Minister’s representative with a Call to Action trophy to present to Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré. This gesture by CAOPA was welcomed by the advisor who assured that her ministry will do its utmost to meet the needs of artisanal fisheries professionals in particular and the Ivorian population in general. Other communication tools (key rings and pins) were given to the various participants
The two-day workshop in the run-up to the celebration of International Women’s Rights Day 2023 was punctuated by a series of presentations related to “the role of women in accessing resources and co-management”, by Ms Fatou P. Choye/Gambia.
How to ensure women’s participation and support their role in innovation? By Ms Makamba Mariana Camara, Madou LEKA Raïssa Nadège, and Ms Oulou Gnègnè Debora/Côte d’Ivoire
“Role of women in innovation and valorization of sea products in Morocco and aquaculture project”, by Mrs Agaliyou Mina
“Role of women in promoting transparency and accountability in fisheries” by Dawda Foday Saine/Gambia
“Role of women in protecting small-scale fisheries from other sectors of the blue economy”, by Ms. Kadiatou Bangoura/Guinea
“Women’s role in improving community resilience to climate change”, by Dorcas Malogho/CAOPA Youth Unit
Presentation of young fishermen from Latin America (online), by Carolina Velasquez, from Honduras, active member of the small-scale fishermen group APEARSE (Association of small-scale fishermen la Ceiba which is part of Marine Seascape)
Presentation of women from Costa Rica (online), by Maria Teresa Williams, president of the Association of Fishermen of Cahuita on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, etc
On the second day of the activity, the participants worked on : ” Access to resources, working conditions and their participation in decision making “.
The end of the workshop was marked by the drafting of a declaration, known as the “Abidjan Declaration”.
Wednesday, March 8th 2023: International Women’s Rights Day
On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Women’s rights this 08 March 2023, in Abidjan, women of the African small-scale fishing sector celebrated at the Treichville labour exchange with their sisters from Côte d’Ivoire.
This celebration took place in a joyful atmosphere. The Women were dressed in a uniform dedicated to this day.
The activities took place under the presidency of the Cabinet Chief of the Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources of Côte d’Ivoire.
TRIBUTE TO FATOUMATA DIALLO
This edition was dedicated to the late Mrs. SIREBARA Fatoumata Diallo from Mali, Founder and Director of the multifunctional training centre for sustainable development. And a vibrant tribute was paid to her.
On behalf of CAOPA and all women in African small-scale fishing, Mrs Djalikatou Cherif Haïdara read out the tribute to Fatoumata Diallo. This ceremony took place in an atmosphere of sympathy. A trophy 🏆 was given to Fatoumata’s daughter who appreciated this mark of recognition to her late mother.
EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO GAOUSSOU GUEYE
After the tribute to Fatoumata Diallo, FENASCOOP-CI paid a well-deserved tribute to the president of CAOPA, Gaoussou Gueye, for his tireless fight in favour of African small-scale fishing for the benefit of populations.
The “Award of Excellence for Best Manager of Small-scale Fishing and Aquaculture” was presented to him by the Chief of Staff of the Ivorian Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources.
Other symbolic gifts were given to him by the professional women of the Côte d’Ivoire.
After being distinguished, Mr. Gueye said he was deeply touched by this award. He dedicated it to CAOPA and to all men and women in the sector, who fight to provide a living for millions of people.
ABIDJAN DECLARATION
The declaration was made by Mrs. Madou Leka Raissa Nadege. A member of the youth unit of CAOPA, she is also the secretary general of the national union of cooperative societies of fishmongers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector of Côte d’Ivoire (UNSCOMAFHAT-CI).
See the recommendations in the declaration:
We call on our states to:
First: Ensure decent living and working conditions for women in artisanal fisheries.
Second: Ensure women’s access to fish, through legislation and fisheries policies that protect resources.
Third: Encourage and support women and young people, by providing better working conditions, and adequate infrastructure.
We also call on our governments to:
Fourth: Prioritize human consumption of fish:
To do this, promote responsible aquaculture and produce alternative foods to fishmeal, and encourage appropriate investments in conservation, processing and marketing to feed people; and
Fifth: Promote good governance – anchored in stakeholder participation, transparency of decision-making processes and accountability to citizens – as an essential basis, not only in fisheries and aquaculture policies, but also in policies related to the promotion of the blue economy
CAOPA RECEIVED IN AUDIENCE BY MINISTER SIDI TIEMOKO TOURE
On Thursday March 9th 2023, the day after the Celebration of the Women’s Rights International Day, a delegation from CAOPA and Fenascoop-CI was received by the Minister of Animal and Halieutic Resources of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Sidi Tiemoko Touré.
On this occasion, the ABIDJAN DECLARATION was officially handed over to her by the 2nd Vice President of #FENASCOOP-CI.
On behalf of CAOPA, the Vice President, Antônia Adama Djalo, also donated key rings and pins to the Minister.