University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and Gender and Water Alliance (GWA) has organized a seminar to disseminate research on “Gender in Aquaculture: A Study in Division of Power and Work at ULAB Auditorium in Dhanmondi.
This research was conducted by ULAB’s Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) in collaboration with GWA from December, 2014 to March 2015 in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. The main objective was to map the distribution of tasks between men and women involved in aquaculture. GWA is a global network dedicated to mainstreaming gender in water resources management.
The mapping showed that women play an active role in household-based aquaculture, but their roles remain unrecognized. They carry out the lion’s share of tasks, in addition to their day-to-day household work, for the benefit of their household, especially children. Women’s participation in these activities are rarely opposed by their husbands, but women’s leadership, decision making power and control over assets are not recognized.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of ULAB Professor Imran Rahman with the presence of Michiel Slotema, Advisor of Water Resource Management of the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka. Professor Dr. Hamidul Huq of ULAB CSD presented the study findings of the research followed by a panel discussions by Dr. Manjurul Karim, Scientist, Program Leader and Deputy Chief of Party – AIN, WorldFish, Bangladesh and South Asia Office; Ms. Ramona Ridolfi, Gender Manager, Hellen Keller International; Dr. Mostafa A. R. Hossain, Professor of Aquatic Bio-Diversity, Bangladesh Agricultural University; and Ms. Joke Muylwijk, Executive Director, GWA.
