By Kenneth Marcos 
In a small coastal barangay, it’s not just men who set out to sea at dawn. Women, too, haul nets, dry fish, and help manage household incomes. But for years, many of them have been left out of decision-making and support programs. Now, that’s beginning to change.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is strengthening its commitment to gender equality by integrating women’s voices and concerns into its future projects. This move aims to ensure that all fishers—regardless of gender—receive equal opportunities and services from the government.
GAD planning workshop held for 2026 programs
To support this goal, BFAR recently held a workshop focused on preparing its Gender and Development (GAD) Plans and Programs for the upcoming year. The activity aimed to improve how gender perspectives are included in the agency’s policies and services.
According to BFAR, gender mainstreaming is not just about creating women-focused projects. It also means making sure women are heard, represented, and supported in all stages of planning and implementation—especially in rural and coastal areas where women’s work in fisheries often goes unnoticed.
A step toward inclusive and fair fisheries governance
The workshop is part of BFAR’s ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive fisheries sector where all fishers, whether male, female, or LGBTQIA+, have equal access to programs, training, equipment, and livelihood support.
This is in line with the broader goals of the Philippine government to promote gender equality across all sectors. Under Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, government agencies are mandated to allocate at least 5% of their budget to gender-responsive programs.
In fisheries, this means helping women gain access to post-harvest tools, processing technologies, and capacity-building programs that can lift them out of poverty and improve their role in the value chain.
Changing the way the sector sees gender roles
BFAR also hopes that integrating gender into its strategies will challenge traditional gender roles in fishing communities. While men often handle the actual fishing, women usually do the drying, sorting, marketing, and budgeting—roles that are equally important in the supply chain.
Through inclusive planning and fair access to government support, these contributions can be better recognized and valued, leading to a more empowered and resilient coastal population.
A call for partnership and awareness
As BFAR prepares its 2026 programs, the agency is encouraging both its staff and community stakeholders to take an active role in promoting gender equality. By working together, they aim to create a fisheries sector where no one is left behind.
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