Women fishers in Lampung play a strategic role in the supply chain of BSC fisheries. However, they are often not involved in many empowerment and decision-making activities in the community. CTC and Photovoices International (PVI) held a photo exhibition and learning network session to highlight women fishers in encouraging sustainable BSC fisheries in Lampung.

The event of “Photo Exhibition of Photovoices Program and Learning Network Session for BSC Women Fishers in Lampung” was carried out from 23-25 ​​May 2022 at Sheraton and Amalia Hotel, Lampung. The Governor of Lampung Arinal Djunaidi officially opened the event, which was joined by representatives of women fishers and various stakeholders from Central Lampung, East Lampung, and Tulang Bawang Districts, where the majority of BSC industries in Lampung Province are located.

“A good collaboration between NGO partners and local governments is advantageous for sustainable BSC fisheries management in Lampung that will bring more prosperity to local fishers by prioritizing innovation, downstream industry development, and creative economy,” said Governor Arinal Djunaidi in his opening remarks.

Further, the theme of the event is “Women Fishers to Support Sustainable BSC Fisheries in Lampung” which aims to providing an inspiring platform for women to bring positive changes in the sustainable management of BSC fisheries. The event also exhibited some creative edible snacks using BSC waste, homemade by these women as alternative incomes to support their families.

Previous studies show that women fishers in Lampung are pretty much involved in the all processes of BSC production, from preparing fishing gears, post-harvesting, trading, to processing BSC meats at industrial level as an export commodity. They make significant contributions to support their family’s economy. Unfortunately, they have been adversely affected by unsustainable BSC fisheries management and practices due to various social and economic disparities in society, which places them in a vulnerable position.

Since 2020, the Committee of Sustainable BSC Fisheries in Lampung (KPPRB) has partnered with NGOs such as CTC and PVI to increase the capacity of women fishers in Central Lampung, East Lampung, and Tulang Bawang Districts. Various activities that have been carried out include workshops and training about business canvas model, participatory photography, financial literacy, and processing BSC waste.

CTC Executive Director Rili Djohani said that the learning networking sessions for BSC women fishers in Lampung will enable a learning and sharing ecosystem among women and ensure that the lessons learned from partner institutions will continue to roll out at the community level, even if the CTC or other NGO partners would no longer present in Lampung. CTC believes that this event will inspire the formation of a bigger learning network for BSC women fishers at provincial and national levels. 

One of the participants, Sumarni from Sungai Burung Village, Tulang Bawang, said that she has gained a lot of knowledge and skills from PVI and CTC, such as taking thematic pictures using camera and BSC ecology and supply chain, as well as entrepreneurship using the business canvas model. “The capacity building helps me, and other women fishers, understand better how to protect BSC and its ecosystem for future sustainability,” explained Sumarni.

The BSC fisheries have supported the livelihoods of more than 4,000 fishers and 1,000 pickers, mostly women, who work at local mini plants in Lampung. To achieve the vision of Lampung to be the most leading BSC producer in Indonesia, the KPPRB Lampung and NGO partners have implemented various approaches, including the optimization of women fishers’ roles and awareness on the importance of sustainable BSC fisheries management. (*)

Photo by Yoga Putra/CTC