Women of tides: Gender analysis of wild seaweed harvesting in Tamil Nadu, south India

Seaweed production in India is primarily confined to the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay in Tamil Nadu, South India. Around 5,000 fishers in this region are involved in wild seaweed collection. Gathering the gender-disaggregated data, perhaps more qualitatively, explains gender differences and helps redress inequalities. With this rationale, a study was undertaken in the the Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, with a sample of 60 households to assess the gender dimensions in wild seaweed harvesting. The social participation, extension participation, extent of usage of information sources, daily activity profile, drudgery, technology adoption, attitude towards seaweed harvesting/fishing as a livelihood, gender empowerment dimensions, gender needs and constraints were analysed. The study revealed that women have a prominent role in most activities in seaweed harvesting. There is a significant difference between men and women seaweed harvesters with regard to above aspects except for their attitude towards seaweed harvesting as a livelihood. Furthermore, a significant difference exists between women seaweed harvesters, men seaweed harvesters and fishermen regarding various dimensions. Gender disparities exist in asset ownership, access to resources and services, usage of information sources and being overwhelmed with productive and reproductive roles. Strategies may include promoting joint ownership, gender-sensitive extension activities, gender-specific skill development, gender-friendly technological interventions and gender sensitisation. Keywords: Gender analysis, Gender empowerment dimensions, Seaweed harvesters, Wild seaweed harvesting