Gender Audit for Gender Mainstreaming of Coastal and Marine Fishing Community of India

Fisherwomen constitute 47% of the total adult coastal and marine fishing populations in India. They share major contributions in the fishing of their families either directly or indirectly, especially in postharvest and land-based activities, including marketing. The activities performed by fisherwomen in fishing are diverse and differs to those of men but significant for the livelihood of their families. Fisherwomen activities amount high in the share of economic contribution to coastal fishing in India. The work performance of fisherwomen in fishing-related activities are un-recognized or underrecognized. Gender biased discrimination, such as access to resources, control over family, consumption pattern, and freedom for domestic expenditure, are prevalent in their family and community. Gender inequality slows down the economic development and deepens poverty in the fishing community. Inadequate recognition of fisherwomen’s contribution to fisheries shall hamper the sustainable development process. Gender equality is a basic of human rights, and its achievement shall bring many long term positive changes in human development and socio-economic progress. A gender audit assesses the extent to which gender equality is effectively institutionalized in the policies, programs, schemes, and in the corresponding budgets. To measure the gender gap in coastal fisheries in India, Gender Inequality Index (GII) has been applied. Accordingly, GII in fisheries is 0.618, which is comparatively higher than that of the National average (0.563). This paper discusses the methods of analyzing gender gaps in the fisheries sector and requisite gender mainstream activities for fisherwomen empowerment.


Introduction
Worldwide, about 180 million women are working on fisheries and aquaculture related activities (Bliege Bird, 2007). FAO estimates that, overall, fishing and aquaculture assure the livelihoods of 10-12 % of the world's population (FAO, 2014). In the fishing activity, there is a strong division of labour in the coastal fishing families. Fisherwomen have been involved in gleaning, near-shore fishing, net mending, fishing, fish drying, processing, curing, peeling, packaging, and marketing etc, and shares 50% of the total labor force. In addition, the fishermen and fisherwomen are performing a complementary role throughout the capture fisheries value chain (Weeratunge and Snyder, 2010 ;Harrison, 2001). The work performance of fisherwomen in fishing-related activities is un-recognized or under recognised, which is evident through the invisibility of women's roles in many official fisheries statistics (Williams et al., 2002). Gender issues in fishing sector have been neglected for several reasons, including the following; (i) a belief of fishing and fisheries are the domain of men (ii) the concept of fisheries are limited to direct fishing activities (iii) the gender stereotype that of women as being physically weak and unsuited for the physical activities in fishing (iv) gender stereotype of fisherwomen are not technically minded (v) poor representation of fisherwomen in political, socio -economical employment in departments and academia (Nguyen Dang Hao, 2012).
Inadequate recognition of fisherwomen's contribution in fisheries shall hamper the sustainable development process, resulting to increased poverty and food insecurity (FAO, 2016). Gender is the socially and culturally constructed identities of men and women. Gender refers to the roles, responsibilities, access, and opportunities of men and women, boys and girls, in a society. Gender equity refers to the process of fair and just treatment of women and men with equal opportunities and responsibilities to reach gender equality (World Bank,2012). Gender equality is a basic human right, and its achievement shall bring many long term positive changes in human development and socioeconomic progress (Diamond et al. 2003). Gender equality shall support the increase of sustainable production and economic growth in the fishing community (Elizabeth Ursic, 2014). Goal 5 of Millennium Sustainable Development focuses to "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" (Brendan Fisher and Robin Naidoo, 2016). However, gender does not figure in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), but it came into the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) as an afterthought to ensure that human, and a fortiori gender, dimensions of fisheries were adequately covered in the implementation of the EAF (BOBLME, 2012). National plans, policies, institutions, and budgets of Governments have been translated into their commitments in gender equality. Yet, gender inequalities remain deeply entrenched in every society. They are too often denied access to basic education and health care. Women in all parts of the world suffer violence and discrimination. They are under-represented in political and economic decision-making processes. Gender-blind policies have resulted, massive losses in terms of production and income, as well as to household food security and nutrition, particularly for the poor (Maruf Hossan Chowdhury et al., 2015).
A gender audit assesses the extent to which gender equality is effectively institutionalized in the policies, programs, organisational structures, and proceedings (including decision-making processes) and the corresponding budgets. It evaluates whether the practice and systems for gender mainstreaming are effective and reinforce each other. Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a tool for gender audit to judge the losses of potential National achievement because of gender inequality in reproductive health, empowerment, and labour market participation (Nguyen Dang Hao, 2012). To understand the role and status of gender in the coastal fishing community in India and to enhance fisherwomen equality, a study was conducted to estimate the gender gap and to access productive resources, services, health, education, participation in governance, and markets. The study also finds the substantial gains that could be achieved by closing these gender gaps in the fishing community.

About fisherwomen in India
Coastal fishermen community is an essential stakeholder in coastal zones of India. The coastal fishermen population of India is distributed in 72 coastal districts. The active fishermen population in 3288, coastal fishing villages was 5400000 (FAO, 2016). Fisherwomen constitute 47 percent of the total adult population in the fishing villages of India. Male and female population distribution of fisher folks has been given in Fig.1. The male and female ratio is varying with states. Kerala and Tamil Nadu fair better with their sex ratio scoring at 966 and 939 respectively (2010 marine census) but, Goa rank inferior in sex ratio among the states with only 625 females for 1000 males , which are lowest malefemale ratio among the States.
Fisherwomen activities amount high in the share of economic contribution to coastal fishing in India. It has been estimated that the percentage of women as a work force for total capture fisheries in India is 72% (World Bank, 2010). There is some gender-biased discrimination within the household that includes access to resources, control over family, consumption pattern, and freedom for domestic expenditure. Fisherwomen are migrated to nearby places to gain employment in fishing -related industries. But, their level of migration is primarily hampered by the social system in the fishing community. The working environment of fisherwomen is awful, whether it is market or peeling shed. The working environment of fisherwomen is the cause of many health hazards. Like complaints of arthritics, skin disorders, and back pain are common among the fisherwomen working in the processing plants (Sheela Immanuel et al., 2008).
Fisherwomen have a very low status in the social hierarchy, which leaves them worse off than their compatriot (Karuna Anbarasan, 1985). In general, women are non-entities when they come to community affairs. They are not eligible for election as village leaders, or as members of the village council, and they are not allowed to take part in village meetings (Natarajan and Vijay, 2014). Fisherwomen are victims of both backwardness and gender discrimination, and they are not bothering about the political arena (Pataik et al., 2011). Fisherwomen are unrepresented in leading positions, whether in elected offices, civil services, and private sector or academia. Now fisherwomen are elected as panchayat president, counselor, ward member, bank s taff as well as they entered in academic line as teachers, engineers, and doctors, etc. Though, 73 rd and 74 th constitutional amendments are guiding reservations for women in Panchayat Raj Institutions. Fisherwomen participation in local governance is very rare. If fisherwomen have represented in the local management, their husband as a proxy shall play their role. Gender inequality slows down the economic development and deepens poverty in the fishing community. It is very imminent to recognize the gender equality for sustainable development and reduction of poverty (Fedon, 2004) in coastal fisheries of India.

Methods -Gender audit of fisherwomen
Equality in terms of gender refers to differences between individuals in a society, particularly to differences in the positions of power that women and men hold in society (Maruf Hossan Chowdhury et al., 2015). Gender inequality can be assessed by the Gender Inequality Index (GII). GII aims to measure all dimensions of gender inequalities, avoiding the pitfalls of aggregation. It is a way of addressing the shortcomings of gender-specific measures through a new aggregate strategy using Multiple Correspond ence Analysis (MCA) (Gaielle Ferrant, 2010). GII has been used to measure the gender inequality status of various nations of the world. In a list of 155 countries, India places at 130 th position, and its GII value is 0.563 whereas, the top ten countries have values below 0.05. (HDR, 2014).
Gender inequalities are measured from three dimensions of the woman in development, i.e., reproductive health, empowerment, and participation in the workforce (Fig.2). These dimensions consist    Primary data was on socio-economic indicators of the fisher women, including occupation, income, properties, education, health decision making, and participatory role of women in community activities were collected to provide input for GII calculations. Using the above primary and secondary information on GII indicators, the following formulas were applied to estimate the GII of fisherwomen;Geometric means across dimensions in each gender group were calculated using two methods. To estimate female geometric mean (GF)

GF = 3√ (1∕ MMR.1/ABR) 1/2 . (PRF.SEF) 1/2 . LFPRF
To estimate male geometric mean (GM) The harmonic mean was formulated to create the equally distributed gender index using the following equation: To calculate the geometric mean of each indicator: Finally, to calculate GII, the following formula was used.

GII=1-Harm (GF, GM)/GF, M
The gender status of fisherwomen using the GII was analysed, and the values were compared with the National average for discussion on policy guidance on gender mainstreaming.

Reproductive health
Reproductive health has been placed as the first indicators to measure GII since reproductive health accounts for the largest loss due to gender inequality. Reproductive health implies the ability of people to have a responsible, satisfying, and safer sex life to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so (WHO, 2011). In general, two indicators have been used to capture the reproductive health dimension of a country they are; (i) maternal mortality rate and (ii) adolescent birth rate (Amie Gaye et al., 2010). Sexual and reproductive health has been recognized in internationa l human rights law, particularly in the areas of adolescents' rights, maternal health, and family planning. It is the right of women to access information and services relating to partnerships, marriage, sexual relations, and the bearing of children to make decisions towards equality and well-being (UNFPA, 2010). It is widely accepted that women's health during pregnancy and childbearing is a clear sign of women's status in society (UNDP, 2014). Malnutrition among women in general and dur ing the pre and post-natal period, lack of awareness on nutritional and balanced diets increase their vulnerability to health risks. Research findings have informed that the fishing community in India has many occupational health problems, malnutrition, under-nutrition, poor hygiene, poor sanitation, and lack of adequate health facilities (ICOR, 2011).  (225) 12.5% higher than the national average. This shows little access to reproductive health services by fisherwomen comparatively. Distance from hospitals (or) health centers, lack of health insurance, unaffordable fees, poverty, and lack of commitment of the family and community may be the factors. In addition, fisherwomen income shall be used for better nutrition, food production capacity, access to affordable reproductive health, transport, water, and sanitation, all of which have an impact on maternal health. Due to poor income or insufficient income dependency on reproductive health decisions in their family may lead to maternal death. Countries with a high GII also had a high MMR as compared with countries with lower GIIs (Frank Chirowa et al., 2013).

Adolescent Birth Rate
The number of births to women ages 15-19 per 1,000 women in that age group per year is called Adolescent Birth Rate (WHO, 2010). This indicator highlights that reproduction is not only risky, it often begins too early, and scope for future opportunities of the adolescent are limited (Amie Gaye et al., 2010). Globally, early childbearing often results in women in higher total fertility, lost development opportunities, limited life options, and poorer health. Children of adolescent mothers are with low birth weight, malnutrition, and anemia. Pregnancies among girls less than 18 years of age have irreparable consequences. It violates the rights of girls, with life-threatening consequences in terms of sexual and reproductive health, and poses high development costs for communities, particularly in perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Huge age gap between spouses also means huge power differentials more likely to experience violence within marriage or a partnership (Edilberto Loaiza and Mengjia Liang., 2013). Every year, nearly 16 million adolescent girls give birth, the majority of whom are married. The national ABR of India is 32.8. ABR of coastal States has been given in Fig.4.To estimate the ABR in fisherwomen, marriages of 6757 coastal fisherwomen living in 53 coastal villages of 5 coastal states were appraised and found that 256 fisherwomen (3.8%) were married in adolescent age, out of which 90% are given birth in their adolescent age. These results showed that the ABR of fisherwomen is 37.9, which is higher than the national average. WHO (2012) suggested that education itself is a major protective factor for early pregnancy. More years of schooling leads to fewer early pregnancies, and it is evident that the birth rates among women with low education are higher than for those with secondary or tertiary education (WHO, 2012). Empowering fisherwomen by education and decision making is necessary for their own, for their family, and for the community.

Fisherwomen empowerment
Empowering women is not only matters of justice; it is also a smart strategy for strengthening fisheries development and food and nutrition security (FAO, 2013; Janet G. Stotsky, 2016). Women's participation in electoral competitions is an important indicator to measure the effective functioning of democracy (Thomas and Wilcox, 2005). Empowerment of women is being calculated by working out the ratio between the total number of Parliament seats, and the number of women representatives, and the proportion of adult females and males with secondary education is the indicators of empowerment dimensions of GII. Though the number of Parliament seats for women is a large unit to interpret the fishing women representation, share of leadership in the next levels (Legislative Assemblies) were analyzed in this study. Accordingly, the share of assembly seats by fisherwomen in coastal States was studied to measure the status of empowerment.

Electoral representations of fisherwomen (Legislative Assembly Representation -LAR)
Participation in the legislative process of women shows equality and freedom. In addition, it cuts across genders in sharing political power and providing liberty and space to women within the democratic framework of electoral politics (Praveen Rai, 2017). The equal rights of women in electoral politics have been given in Preamble of the Constitution of India where, it has been promised to secure 'justice, social, economic and political', as well as equality of status and opportunity' of all its citizens.
Though the constitutional mandate provides equality of women in the public domain, including electoral politics, prejudice, and discrimination prevail against women (Akerker, 1995).
Fisherwomen are traditionally being disadvantaged in the electoral political arena at all levels in representation for decision making (Amie Gaye et al., 2010). In GII, women's political representations have been measured by the share of female seats in National Parliaments (Janet G. Stotsky, 2016) since the study focus on the fishing community who has a 0.5% share of the total population and the share of fisherwomen representation in the legislative assembly was enumerated. Since empirical data for women's electoral participation in India available for State and National elections (Praveen Rai, 2017) , the open-source information was collected for analysis. In the measurement of women representation in Parliament of India has been observed that the 15 th Lok Sabha elections had achieved up to the halfway mark of the world average of 22% representation of women in Parliaments (Praveen Rai, 2017 In the local government (Panchayat Raj), however, the number of fisherwomen presidents could not be identified due to poor database.

Secondary education
Education is one of the essential livelihood asset and capital for coastal fishing community development (Devaraj Asir Ramesh et al., 2017). The level of illiteracy has an impact on productivity at work. Illiterate women find it increasingly difficult adapting to new technology-based development.
The literacy rate has been used as a primary indicator to measure the Human Development Index (HDI), and secondary education is one of the important GII indicators to measure women empowerment ( fig.5.).
Women in fishing communities are often illiterate and lack access to training and other opportunities to improve their marketable skills (Williams et al. 2002). Among the coastal fishermen population in India, literates share is 61.57 % (crude literacy rate), which is very lower to the National average of 74 %, which indicates that the difference of fishermen population in literacy is also the requirement of attention for the socio-economic development.
Along with the literacy rate, higher education of fishermen is also poor (2%) while comparing the National average of 11% (Devaraj Asir Ramesh et al., 2017). Active fisherwomen in the coastal areas of India are 2538000, among which 23% of fisherwomen and 27% of fishermen are qualified in secondary education and above (CMFRI, 2010). This secondary education qualification is comparatively very poor in comparison to the National average of 26.6% and 50.4% of female and male population aged 25 and above, respectively. Low incomes, the nature of the fisheries, and the dependency of children in fishing activities to raise the family income and attitudes prevent the children from attending the inflexible formal school system (Devaraj Asir Ramesh et al., 2017).

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
Labour force participation rate is defined as the section of the working population in the age group of 16-64 in the economy currently employed or seeking employment. People who are still undergoing studies, housewives, and persons above the age of 64 are not reckoned in the labor force. Women's roles in fisheries in India are primarily in the post-harvest sector. Their quantum of outputs is limited by their low investment and risk-bearing abilities. Poor credit and access to resources are preventing fisherwomen to use modern technologies such as ice room and cleansing room for proper storage (Siason et al., 2002). Generally, technology development in the fishing sector hurts the fisher-women who are practicing traditional beach-based postharvest activity.
Technology and mechanization of fish production in India slowly displaced the traditional fisherwomen jobs in fisheries. For example, motorization and mechanization of fishing vessels led to a concentratio n of fish landings at fewer harbors and landing sites that resulted in the takeover of fish trade and marketing by merchants (Tietze, 2007). In addition, poor infrastructure and equipment lead to large post-harvest quality losses, resulting in lower incomes throughout the value chain. This affects both gender, but women are often more affected due to family responsibilities and poor access to transport facilities to reach distant markets (FAO, 2013). In general, industrial fisheries are practicing occupational segregation by employing women in low-skilled and low-paid jobs, while men have been placed predominately in skilled and managerial works. These managerial and skilled technica l positions are under contractual services with job security and benefits. Women are generally less paid than men, even for the same work. In addition, the above jobs are characterized by the prevalence of seasonal, short-term, and casual jobs for both men and women. The works have been performed by contractual arrangements without any occupational protection or social benefits (FAO, 2013).
Women are completely excluded from fishing operations , and they come into picture only after landing of fish catch. A fisherwoman spends more than 90% of the time duration for fishing and allied activities in a year. Hence it is classified under full-time employment. The majority of them spend 225-250 days (7.5-8 months) in dry fish production-related activities. In the lean period, they work as a laborer in, processing company, peeling factory, net weaving, or in the agriculture fields. Many active fisherwomen involved in fish seed collection on a part-time basis. About 20% of the coastal fisherwomen are working in fishing and allied activities such as marketing of fish, making/repairing net, curing/processing, peeling, and other fishing related laborers. Only about 0.66% of them are working in non-fisheries associated activities. The workforce shares in fishing-related activities have been varied between the coastal districts and States.
In the fish marketing workforce, 81% of fisherwomen are engaged in Maharashtra, followed by Andra Pradesh (19.04%) and Tamilnadu (18.05%). The majority of the fisherwomen are engaged in making and repairing the fish net in the state of West Bengal (34.15%), followed by Maharashtra (19.21%) and Odisha (18.08%) (CMFRI, 2010). Only 15% of the respondents (total 944) sampled in 5 coastal States ; fisherwomen have owned small scale fishing-related equipment. Limitations in fisherwomen's ownership of fishing equipment's restrict them to engage in coastal fishing and allied activities (Ali, 1996). Using the disadvantage of restriction in ownership of resources and fishing equipment's, local / private money lenders are lending money for high interest rate in emergencies of fisherwomen in family activities, Self Help Group (SHGs) formal microcredit, bank, and cooperative society is the common saving facilities used by fisherwomen to enlarge the fishing related developmental activities. SHGs have been widely us ed for labor force participation since they are easily accessible and popular , and banks are falling as a distant second option (Rupnawar and Upadhye, 2015).
Balanced, equitable, and sustainable development of the fisheries sector must take all social groups into account. LFTR of fisherwomen confirmed that their contribution to the labour force in the fishing sector is unrecognized or under-recognized. LFTR of fisherwomen of India has been estimated as 23 %. The above value is very near to the National average of women labor force participation percentage (ages older than 15) 28.8 (HDR, 2014). GII in LFTR for fisherwomen in India has been estimated as 0.593. Primary and secondary information on the workforce of fisherwomen is not documented in any books of policymakers and legislators (Maetala 2009).

Fishers Gender Inequality Index
Using the GII enumeration method, GII in fisheries is 0.618. Table 2. explains the various indicators of GII of fisherwomen in India. The GII of fisheries is comparatively 4.2% higher than the national average. This empirical evidence confirms that the fisherwomen are disadvantageous in access to opportunities and resources, and there is a lack of measurement of their labor. The GII indicator also indicates that the gender inequalities prevail in areas such as education and training, access to independent credit, bargaining power in trade, role in decision making, and workplace environments. It is a question of human rights, which was guaranteed in legislation and policies. This continuous ignorance of fisherwomen rights shall hurdle sustainable fisheries development. Considering male advantages in terms of access to resources, education, and training since they are harvesting from the nature that often results in the weak representation of female fish (or other value chain) workers in membership and leadership roles (FAO, 2013).
The inequality gap shall be addressed explicitly by the implementation of gender mainstreaming activities and review of schemes to encourage the participation of fisherwomen in decision making, provisions to access capital equipment and technology, credit and loans, training, and education (Williams et al., 2002). National and states welfare scheme for fishers are not supporting fisherwomen except the saving cum relief scheme where compensation for the lean period of three months from the nine-month savings of fishers along with the Government contribution at the level of 1:2(fishermen = 1 and Governments share = 2) is being distributed to fishermen and fisherwomen. Gender inclusio n in all fishing related activities shall bring substantial benefits, including the increase of productivity and income, reduced post-harvest losses, improved quality management, improved household food security and nutrition, and improved natural resources management through women's empowerment in the community (FAO, 2013).

Gender mainstreaming in fisheries
Gender mainstreaming is a process of change, a "transformation of unequal social and institutiona l structures into equal and just structures for both men and women". The International Labour Organization (ILO, 2002) described that mainstreaming is not about adding woman's component or gender equality component in an existing activity, it shall increase women's participation, bring experience, knowledge, and interests of women and men to bear on the development agenda (Cecile Brugere, 2014). Gender mainstreaming initiatives would modify the social and cultural pattern of conduct of men and women to achieve the elimination of prejudices and customary and practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or stereotyped roles for men and women.
Gender mainstreaming requires that gender analysis be incorporated into all existing polic ies and decisions of fishing communities towards gender equality. Constitution and Government policies of India are emphasising gender equity however;, gender mainstreaming is trending at the slow progress. Gender mainstreaming is a key agenda for the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) of the Government of India. The Ministry has emphasized that gender budgeting is an important tool for gender mainstreaming. Its gender mainstreaming guideline has advised the States to issue notifications to adopt gender budgeting (D.O.NO. 1-25/2012-GB, dated 18th February, 2013). Accordingly, gender budgeting is a process to incorporate gender perspective at all levels and stages, A growing body of evidence suggests that increasing a woman's control over assets has positive effects on important development and conservation outcomes for the household, including food security, child nutrition, and education as well as individual well-being (Quisumbing, 2003). Equal property rights of fishing women in properties such as crafts, gears, lands shall be emphasized in the fishing village planning. The traditional rights of fishing areas shall be transferred to female members also if male heirs to succeed. Women who are single or widowed may face more problems in fishing hence; specific local level laws are needed to ensure fishermen's widows have access to fish for subsistence fishing, food security and to generate economy (Danika Lynn Kleiber, 2014).
Self Help Groups (SHGs) of informal sectors of the fisheries and allied activities shall be emphasi zed in the fishing village plans to get benefits and for representation as stakeholders to participate in the decision making the process. Women SHGs of fishing villages shall be strengthened for promoting income generation activities. SHG based microfinance has contributed as a catalyst for the social change, and the empowerment of the poor is proved to be a boon for the rural women in some states of India (Meenu Maheshwari and Royal, 2014). SHGs shall be emphasised to enhance the investments in the fishery activities to facilitate the application and uses of various fisheries-related technologies and standards to match with the modern trends in fishing industries and consumer preferences. Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme of India is very successful in resource sharing a nd 50% participation of women in forest resources management (Planning Commission, 2010). JFM principles shall be applied in coastal fishing resource management and management of common properties and fishing community resources, including CRZ areas.
The increase of jobs and a decent work environment are essential for inclusive growth that advances the economic and social development of fisherwomen. Fisherwomen shall be provided access to physical and financial capital to procure adequate infrastructure, equipment, technologies, and access to markets to ensure the implementation of their aspirations. To provide adequate facilities to fisherwomen, separate budget and allocation shall be made in the short and long term basis. Since the national budget mentions either women or men, the common assumption is that the money allocated benefit both genders to the same degree. However, this appearance of gender -neutrality is more accurately described as gender-blindness (Elson, 1997). Hence, gender budget shall be expressed in local-level plans to improve the status of women in general and the economic power of women in particular (Barbara Swirski, 2002). It is necessary to provide them with training and formal and informal education to improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of their activities (FAO, 2016).

Conclusions
Socio-economic empowerment of fisherwomen shall meaningfully contribute to the well-being of themselves, their families, and their communities. Ultimately, this will help to create a responsible coastal fishing environment towards sustainable utilization of fisheries resources, contribution to human well-being, food security, and poverty alleviation. To create such a socio-economic environment for the coastal fishing women, appropriate institutional arrangements with guidelines for equal participation of fisherwomen in all fishing related activities are essential to reduce the gender gap in the fishing community. Existing constitutional and legal provisions , including CRZ 2011 and Panchayat Raj, are providing many direct and indirect directions to reduce the gender gap, which shall be immediately implemented by the States, UTs' and local Governments to empower fisherwomen. In the planning of fishing village, empowering fisherwomen in taking leadership, participation, and representation in all decisions is appropriate since they are responsible for all fishery-related activities in the shore (fishing village), including transporting, marketing, processing, housekeeping, etc. SHGs shall be strengthened by providing financial and legal support. Continuous technological inventions in the subsistence fishery shall enhance food security and improve their working environment of fisherwomen. Education and capacity building activities to fisherwomen shall empower them in financial, social, and political equity to achieve gender mainstreaming. To reduce the gender gap in fisheries, relevant policies, regulations, and schemes shall be rearranged to promote gender equity and equality of fisherwomen. Further, this study proved that the GII methods could be applied to estimate gender equality at the community, local levels, and for academic purposes.