Kenyan women break traditional fishing rules amid Lake Victorias environmental decline

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

Women’s Fishing Tradition Gains Ground in Kisumu County Village

In Kagwel, a lakeside village in Kisumu County’s Seme subcounty, women have long been excluded from fishing activities. However, in 2002, Rhoda Ongoche Akech defied this social norm by joining a male-female fishing team.

According to Akech, the community initially believed that when women accompanied men on fishing trips, they would engage in sexual relations. However, after realizing she was there to learn and not for any other purpose, the whispers ceased.

Akech’s decision to fish was motivated by financial necessity. As a fishmonger, her income had dwindled due to high expenses, including purchasing fish from male fishermen and paying for transportation to markets. In 2001, women from neighboring Homabay County arrived in Kagwel and began fishing, inspiring Akech to take action.

Despite warnings from community members, Akech persisted, with the support of two young men who helped her learn the skills. Her family relied on the income she earned from fishing.

The cultural prohibition against women fishing in Lake Victoria communities is rooted in traditional beliefs about menstruation. According to William Okedo, a village elder, it was believed that women’s presence in the lake during their period would scare away fish and result in losses for fishermen.

However, Akech’s bold move in 2002 paved the way for other women to follow suit. In 2018, Faith Awuor Ang’awo joined Akech on fishing trips, and two years later, Dorcas Awiyo also began participating. By 2022, Janet Ndweyi had become a regular member of the team.

The economic benefits of women’s participation in fishing have been significant. According to Wilson Onjolo, Seme subcounty fisheries officer, boat owners can earn between 6,000 and 8,000 Kenyan shillings per day, while crew members and traders can earn up to 1,000 shillings.

The transformation has been gradual, with some community members initially resistant to the idea. However, as more women have joined the fishing team, the stigma surrounding their participation has decreased. Village elder Okedo has observed this change with mixed feelings, acknowledging both the benefits and challenges of this new development.

Source: Al Jazeera