This document describes the status of women in small-scale fisheries in the Bay of Bengal region and their potential role, technical and economic, in the development of small-scale fisheries. The countries considered are Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand - members of the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP). The document has been prepared by the extension advisory service of BOBP. Material has been drawn partly from a meeting on the training of women extension workers in the Bay of Bengal region, held in Madras, India, from 23 to 27 April, 1979.

The meeting was held to assess the role of women in small-scale fisheries development and to clarify thinking on the need for extension and training. Follow-up activities-which might include development support for fishery activities involving women-were envisaged.

However, it was believed that a first step in any project for women’s welfare in fisheries would be to obtain and consolidate available data on their role, responsibilities and problems. So status papers were presented at the meeting by participating countries in response to BOBP’s request. The papers were discussed at the meeting. This document elucidates and elaborates on the data and conclusions thus obtained.

The Bay of Bengal Programme is funded by the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) and executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Its main aims are to boost fish supplies and improve the conditions of small-scale fishing communities in the Bay of Bengal region.