At the virtual closing ceremony of events marking the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa, Emma Metieh Glassco, head of Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), who served as a panelist at the ceremony remarked that her leadership had taken giant strides to empower women in Liberias fisheries and aquaculture sector
Given the multiple roles they play, Glassco strongly believes that improving opportunities for women in the sector will undoubtedly have widespread and direct benefits. NAFAA has shown full support for women by budgeting US$2mn through a project sponsored by the World Bank. The project aims to transition women in fisheries from nano business to micro business through entrepreneurs training and provision of matching grant.
Moreover, in an attempt to improve the involement of women in decisions affecting the sector, the NAFAA proceeded with organising small-scale fishers into the Collaborative Management Association (CMA) across various communities on the coast of Liberia. Glassco once again highlighted her support for the establishment of the Liberian chapter of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET), while further encouraging women to take on leadership roles in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
“In Liberia, women are major players, they own vessels, process the fish and have it reached the market. The entire sector is reliant on the contribution of women,” Glassco stated in Front Page Africa report.
