Omni's mother, (40 years old) leaves her house early at six in the morning with her colleagues towards the coast of Khor Omaira in the Directorate of Mudharaba and Ras Al-Ara in Lahj Governorate to catch fish, as she was forced to do so after the responsibilities and burdens multiplied on her following the death of her breadwinner who was her companion on fishing trips over the past few years.
She told Khuyut that her fishing skills dates back to her childhood when she was twelve years old, as she used to accompany her family when they brought catch from the sea.
Thus, the difficult living conditions in the past years and the exacerbation of the suffering of women in such areas, prompted many of them to work in fishing, as it is the only option for dozens of “fisherwomen” who struggle and persevere, and face destitution, poverty and living crises in order to providing sustenance and the necessary needs for their children and families.
In this regard, Sabri's mother points out that it is difficult for fisherwomen to bear the costs of spinning tools, rulers and bullets used in weaving and crafting the “nets” that are used in the fishing process, which represented a real challenge for many female workers in this profession. As a result, some of them left the fishing profession in view of the absence of support and the high prices of components for weaving fishing nets.
(Omni's mother) spends half the day at sea, in an arduous fishing process; Before returning home at noon for lunch, and then heading back to the sea and staying there until evening. However, according to her, the business always depends on the availability of the appropriate amount of fuel to operate the fishing boat and heading towards the sea.
This fisherwoman talks about the fact that marketing was not accessible at the current rate before the outbreak of the war, as it witnessed a great improvement, which enabled them, through agents, to access markets and deal with the commercial sector to market their catch of fish. On the other hand, many challenges and difficulties, as well as high prices, have greatly affected their fish productivity.
A woman breaks into a demanding career
Omni's mother lists the difficulties they face in fishing, such as: fuel crises, high prices of oil derivatives, lack of support from the competent authorities and aid organizations, in addition to the costs of fishing equipment, which is the main factor in their work.
Lahj has a coastal strip of about 90 kilometers between Aden and Bab Al-Mandab. More than 4,000 fishermen work in this coastal strip, while annual revenues amount to about 15 billion Yemeni riyals, according to data from the Office of the Ministry of Fisheries in Lahj Governorate.
In the context, Sabri's mother (42 years old) has been practicing the profession of manufacturing fishing nets for more than 20 years, as her father taught her, and she continued to practice this occupation until she became a trainer in this field. She also participates in the training and qualifying of female from different areas in Lahj governorate (southern Yemen).
In this regard, Sabri's mother points out that it is difficult for fisherwomen to bear the costs of spinning tools, rulers and bullets used in weaving and crafting the “nets” that are used in the fishing process, which represented a real challenge for many female workers in this profession. As a result, some of them left the fishing profession in view of the absence of support and the high prices of components for weaving fishing nets.
Lack of encouragement and support
The exacerbation of the consequences of such problems and challenges facing fisherwomen led to the establishment of the "Coastal Women's Association" in the "Khor Omira" area, whose membership includes about 300 women working in various fisheries professions.
Marina Saif, Secretary General of the Association, told Khuyut that women play an active and significant pioneering role in the area, and they have their own projects with which they struggle with the hardships of living and the requirements of daily life for themselves and their families, despite the lack of official support and encouragement for female workers in such coastal areas.
Saif added that, the Association has recently distributed some fishing tools and will continue to build the capabilities of coastal women given that all members of the association have a close relationship with fishing business. She also called on the concerned authorities and international organizations to support these fisherwomen with the fishing equipment required for work, in a way that contributes to self-reliance of women in light of the current economic conditions that the country is going through.
