Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize

The document details the transition of women in Belize's small-scale fisheries from an unrecognized, informal workforce to a formalized governance structure. It highlights the role of the Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF), started in 2017, and the subsequent creation of the National Women in Fisheries Association (NWIFA) in 2024 to advocate for women's rights, access to resources, and participation in fisheries management.

• Women constitute a significant but largely invisible part of Belize's small-scale fisheries value chain, performing essential unremunerated tasks such as processing catch, organizing sales, and managing household finances, yet they represent only 3% of licensed commercial fisherfolk.
• The lack of formal recognition for women's roles in the fisheries sector has historically marginalized them and blocked their access to government-provided resources, including financing, micro-credit, and training.
• The Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF), established in 2017, has served as a platform for networking and capacity building, covering topics such as climate change, gender equality, and the UN FAO's Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries.
• In 2024, the National Women in Fisheries Association (NWIFA) was formed to create a permanent governance structure that empowers women to lead sustainable fisheries practices and advocate for rights such as insurance and retirement plans.
• Climate hazards, including hurricanes, tropical storms, and rising sea surface temperatures, threaten the marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of the over 3,000 fishers and 20,000 other Belizeans dependent on small-scale fisheries.

APA

Jang,, R. L. L. (2026). Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize

Chicago

Jang,, Ralna Lamb Lewis,Nicole. Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Jang, |first1=Ralna Lamb Lewis,Nicole |title=Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=8 July 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{jang2026turning, author = {Jang,, Ralna Lamb Lewis,Nicole}, title = {{Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }